Fiscal Performance of Special Category States in India: A Case Study of Tripura State Finance

Deteriorating fiscal health at both central and state level is one of the major concerns in India. In this context, to maintain fiscal discipline at the state level many measures have been adopted .The states have initiated fiscal reforms to bring fiscal discipline at the state level. Even the special category state which gets more grants than the general category states because of their special problems have enacted fiscal responsibility and budget management act to maintain fiscal discipline. With this background this study is an attempt to measure the fiscal performance of a special category state i.e., Tripura by evaluating its performance over the time period 1990-91 to 2009-10 to see whether the fiscal performance of this state is improving or not after implementing the fiscal reform program. The paper has developed a composite index known as Tripura Fiscal Performance Index (TFPI).It is observed that the fiscal performance as a whole is improving after implementing the FRBM Act. The year 2007-08 is the best fiscal performance year. However the state should maintain its fiscal discipline in terms of deficit management and own revenue augmentation to have sustainable long term financial stability

Control of flow and oxygen in a 3-D perfused micro-environment fosters balanced survival of hepatocyte-non-parenchymal cell co-cultures

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Biological Engineering Division, 2007.Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-153).Creating a physiologically relevant in vitro liver model requires reproducing the cellular heterogeneity of in vivo liver in a functional state. However differentiated sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), marked by SE-1 expression are difficult to maintain in culture while stellate cells easily activate and over-proliferate. We hypothesized that recreating a liver tissue system that captured in vivo like paracrine influences would foster survival of these cells, and predicted that stimuli resulting from flow and oxygen gradients close to physiological conditions would preserve the delicate balance between the cell types. Spheroids containing hepatoctyes with incorporated non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) were seeded into capillary bed sized channels in polycarbonate scaffolds, housed in a three-dimensional perfused system, and maintained for two weeks. Micro-flow rates of different media through the formed tissue units in scaffolds were controlled using pneumatic pumps and microfluidics. Staining and confocal imaging of endpoint tissue showed that lower flow rates closer to physiological regimes allowed the survival of SE-1+ SECs, regardless of exogenously added growth factors in the medium. Higher flow rates, exogenous growth factors, and scaffold contact were associated with activation of stellate cells (alpha-smooth muscle actin staining).Since oxygen measurements in the system coupled low flow rates with hypoxic tissue outlet concentrations, we parsed out these variables by repeating flow experiments in low oxygen environments. Retention of SE-i staining cells even in higher flow rates demonstrated that hypoxic conditions in the tissue could play a role in aiding their survival by overcoming negative effects brought about by high flow. The relationship of stellate cells with flow rate was unaffected by oxygen concentrations. To explore if the negative effects of high flow on SE-i expression were mediated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-[beta]), we added a TGF-[beta] inhibitor SB-431542 in our cultures, and found that it greatly enhanced the presence of SE-1 staining SECs at high flow rates. In conclusion we successfully created a three-dimensional flow controlled hepatic culture system that allows balanced survival of hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells, making it useful as a potential model for studies such as cancer metastasis that require interactions between tumor cells and heterotypic host tissue. Key Words: Liver, In vitro, co-culture, sinusoidal, endothelial, stellate, oxygen, flow, shear.by Ajit Dash.Ph.D

Quest of dynamic linkages between monetary factors and food inflation in India

This study attempts to investigate the dynamic linkages between the monetary factor and food inflation from an Indian macroeconomic perspective, based on time series data from 1991 to 2022. The outcome of the present investigation reveals that a narrow and broad money supply have a significant impact on food inflation. Furthermore, the result of causality analysis in current research reveals that a narrow money supply does not cause food prices to rise in the short run. However, the broad money does. Finally, the relevant outcome reveals that both narrow and broad money supplies jointly cause food inflation in India. In terms of policy implications, current research emphasises the role of monetary factors in controlling food inflation in the context of India

A CORRELATIVE STUDY ON SPINDLE CELL SARCOMA WITH CYTO-HISTOLOGICAL GRADING BY CONVENTIONAL METHODS IN AN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Objective: Spindle cell sarcomas constitute an important component of soft tissue sarcomas, where accurate grading is more important than histologic subtypes to plan treatment strategies and determine prognosis. To assess whether histologic criteria for grading sarcomas could be applied to fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens of adult spindle cell sarcomas without knowledge of sarcoma subtypes. Furthermore, correlate this grading with histologic Federation Nationale Des Centres de lutte contre le cancer (FNCLCC) grading system and find out the percentage of accuracy of FNAB grading. Methods: Hundred cases were studied by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), among them 50 cases found to be spindle cell sarcoma; in only 42 cases surgical specimens were available. Each aspiration being spread into two or more slides. Subsequently, biopsy was done and studied. Technique used - grading of FNAB specimens and corresponding surgical specimens. Result: Grading of FNAB specimens done taking into account four parameters - nuclear atypia, nuclear variation (nuclear contour, chromatin, nucleoli, and nuclear overlap), mitotic figure, and necrosis. Grading of surgical specimens done by FNCLCC system. The overall results were correlated for both FNAC and biopsy concordance and statistically analyzed. From there the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 95.23% and 80.76%, respectively. Conclusion: Histologic criteria for grading sarcomas in adults could be applied to FNAC specimens of spindle cell sarcomas with 88% accuracy. While comparing the diagnosis given by FNAC and biopsy, it revealed the true positive were 40 cases, true negative 42 cases, false positive 10 cases, and false negative (FN) 2 cases.Â

Perfused multiwell plate for 3D liver tissue engineering

In vitro models that capture the complexity of in vivo tissue and organ behaviors in a scalable and easy-to-use format are desirable for drug discovery. To address this, we have developed a bioreactor that fosters maintenance of 3D tissue cultures under constant perfusion and we have integrated multiple bioreactors into an array in a multiwell plate format. All bioreactors are fluidically isolated from each other. Each bioreactor in the array contains a scaffold that supports formation of hundreds of 3D microscale tissue units. The tissue units are perfused with cell culture medium circulated within the bioreactor by integrated pneumatic diaphragm micropumps. Electronic controls for the pumps are kept outside the incubator and connected to the perfused multiwell by pneumatic lines. The docking design and open-well bioreactor layout make handling perfused multiwell plates similar to using standard multiwell tissue culture plates. A model of oxygen consumption and transport in the circulating culture medium was used to predict appropriate operating parameters for primary liver cultures. Oxygen concentrations at key locations in the system were then measured as a function of flow rate and time after initiation of culture to determine oxygen consumption rates. After seven days of culture, tissue formed from cells seeded in the perfused multiwell reactor remained functionally viable as assessed by immunostaining for hepatocyte and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) phenotypic markers.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (grant number 5P30ES002109-30)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH grant number 5R01ES015241)DuPont MIT AlliancePfizer Inc.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF grant number EEC-9843342

Controlled defect production in monolayer MoS2 via electron irradiation at ultralow accelerating voltages

Control on spatial location and density of defects in 2D materials can be achieved using electron beam irradiation. Conversely, ultralow accelerating voltages (less than or equal to 5kV) are used to measure surface morphology, with no expected defect creation. We find clear signatures of defect creation in monolayer (ML) MoS2 at these voltages. Evolution of E' and A1' Raman modes with electron dose, and appearance of defect activated peaks indicate defect formation. To simulate Raman spectra of MoS2 at realistic defect distributions, while retaining density-functional theory accuracy, we combine machine-learning force fields for phonons and eigenmode projection approach for Raman tensors. Simulated spectra agree with experiments, with sulphur vacancies as suggested defects. We decouple defects, doping and carbonaceous contamination using control (hBN covered and encapsulated MoS2) samples. We observe cryogenic PL quenching and defect peaks, and find that carbonaceous contamination does not affect defect creation. These studies have applications in photonics and quantum emitters.Comment: 35 pages, 19 figures, 4 table

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic

Fiscal Performance of Special Category States in India: A Case Study of Tripura State Finance

Deteriorating fiscal health at both central and state level is one of the major concerns in India. In this context, to maintain fiscal discipline at the state level many measures have been adopted .The states have initiated fiscal reforms to bring fiscal discipline at the state level. Even the special category state which gets more grants than the general category states because of their special problems have enacted fiscal responsibility and budget management act to maintain fiscal discipline. With this background this study is an attempt to measure the fiscal performance of a special category state i.e., Tripura by evaluating its performance over the time period 1990-91 to 2009-10 to see whether the fiscal performance of this state is improving or not after implementing the fiscal reform program. The paper has developed a composite index known as Tripura Fiscal Performance Index (TFPI).It is observed that the fiscal performance as a whole is improving after implementing the FRBM Act. The year 2007-08 is the best fiscal performance year. However the state should maintain its fiscal discipline in terms of deficit management and own revenue augmentation to have sustainable long term financial stability.Fiscal Discipline, Composite Fiscal Performance Index, FRBM Act