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This article uses Mikhail Bakhtin and Homi K. Bhabha’s notions of hybridity as an interpretive tool in a traditional market area situated to the north of the center of Calcutta called Barabazaar or the Great Bazaar. More specifically, I study the changing effects of colonialization and globalization on a small group of Marwari paper traders in an area at the southern end of Barabazaar called China Bazaar. Acknowledging the overlapping geographies, both indigenous and foreign, that were and are constantly negotiated in places such as Barabazaar, I define a concept of hybrid space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale private real estate projects in the past few decades in vast areas of increasingly varied scales have been created that were once sparsely inhabited agricultural land and wetlands in the remote locations of these urban areas. This paper examines the reasons for India's peripheralization of real estate megaprojects. Such projects are typically constructed on agricultural land, notably paddy fields and wetlands. Developers' site selections are mostly influenced by the low cost of land and future development potential. In contrast to the disarray of existing urban spaces, "bypass urbanism" creates restricted and unique city spaces that allow more contented or high-status lifestyles. They avoid large parts of the city area as part of their daily lives, reinforcing socio-economic isolation, peripheralization, and uneven urban development. With the help of two case studies, this paper explores how peripheralization has created a restricted and exclusive space that facilitates middle-class life while bypassing and neglecting existing urban areas. This massive bypass urbanism constitutes a new quality of urban growth with far-reaching and uncountable repercussions, resulting in the creation of islands and the reshuffling of the entire metropolitan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's coastal cities have been playing a pivotal role in international relations through culture, commerce, and connectivity since the hoary past. In modern times, coastal cities such as Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on the Arabian Coast and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) on the Bay of Bengal have been active actors in international affairs. While Mumbai has been the hub of international trade and commerce, Kolkata has been the junction of cultural bonhomie with Bangladesh and Southeast Asian countries, which gained more traction due to cross-border movements of technology, information, education, trade and finance, and artistic tools bolstered by the New Economic Policy beginning in the early 1990s. Indian states and metropolitan cities are enhancing their positions in international affairs with tangible gains. Mumbai is referred to as India's financial capital and the home to the headquarters of great global business houses and financial organisations. Similarly, Kolkata is known as the cultural capital of India (Sri Aurobindo, Tagore, Shanti Niketan, Bengali folk art and culture etc.) and a destination for foreign tourists, artists and curious researchers. This paper examines the growth and impact of city diplomacy in India through the prism of federalism in advancing local interests in international politics. It attempts to assess the role of Indian cities from a comparative perspective in the conduct of city diplomacy from economic and cultural aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically analyses complex arrangements of actors, infrastructure technologies and practices to argue that co-production of urban service delivery entails a mutual, but contested dependence of state and non-state actors. We present two empirical cases based on in-depth qualitative fieldwork highlighting the role of Councillors regulating formal hydraulics and the fragile, volatile relations of private water provisioning in Baruipur Municipality, a small, peripheral town in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area. Characterised by groundwater arsenic, iron risks and heterogeneous urban waterscape, our analysis shows that powerful socio-political intermediaries shape everyday provisioning and access, 're-politicisation' complicating notions of collaborative alliances, equitable benefits and sustainable, material improvements. While gaps in piped water provisioning in the global South cities do find nascent community-led, collective service delivery efforts, in a socio-political context where water is understood as a public right, a state provision, does the continued reliance on the state allow joint service delivery to manifest? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the research output on Bamboo for a period of 29 years (1989-2018). The web of science database has been used to retrieve worldwide publication records on bamboo research. The records were analysed using the descriptive statistics. Based on the retrieved data, various aspect of literature on bamboo research analysed and interpreted. The performance of the most productivity countries, authors, journals, Institution wise, and Growth rate and doubling time have assessed. The articles were classified as Research, review and others and grouped under 22 subjects to identify the subject coverage of bamboo research. The study found a positive growth in research and review article while very sharp decrement was observed. The growth rate and doubling period were estimated 8.5 and 8.34 respectively. Most of the articles written on Agriculture, Material Science, building technology and chemistry. M. Das (Presidency University, Department Life Science, Kolkata) is the most prolific primary author while R. Kumar (National Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineer, Silchar, India) mostly occurred as secondary author. Local and National collaboration mostly observed in the paper. India is the most productive country of world followed by china and Tamilnadu is most productive state of India. Indian Institute of Technology, India is a premier institute in bamboo research activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade, several influential scholars have rigorously worked on the impact of neoliberal globalization on the poor in the cities of the South. But they have yet to provide a comprehensive account of how and why some groups in the margins are seen to successfully negotiate with the new modes of governing populations and increase their visibility as a 'category,' while some groups fail to do so. This paper seeks to bridge this research gap by comparing a successful and a failed mobilization in Calcutta. In both cases, use of the footpath has been central. The paper shows how the success of the hawkers in claiming the footpath is tied to the marginalization of the claims of the pavement dwellers that has (a) homogenized the representation of the footpath as only used by pedestrians and hawkers and (b) led to the elision of the pavement dwellers as a governmental category. The paper argues that by arrogating to themselves an archival function-which is conventionally associated with the governmental state-sections of population like the hawkers can become successful in their negotiations with the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: PM10 and its chemical species mass concentrations were measured once in a week at residential (Kasba) and industrial (Cossipore) sites of an urban region of Kolkata for a period of 24 h during November 2003 to November 2004. At each monitoring site, 53 sets of daily average PM10 samples were collected during the study period. Approximately 55% of the monitoring days are weekdays, while 45% are weekends. The PM10 mass concentrations ranged from 68.2 to 280.6 μg m−3 at the residential site, and 62.4 to 401.2 μg m−3 at the industrial site. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAH), fluoranthene (Fl), pyrene (Py), benzo(a)anthracene (BaA), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) have been analyzed using Gas Chromatoghaphy. Metals in PM10 deposited on quartz microfibre filter papers were measured using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer. Chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are the seven toxic trace metals quantified from the measured PM10 concentrations. Total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC) and organic carbon (OC) were analyzed using a Carbon analyzer. Exposed quartz microfibre filter papers were also analyzed for water-soluble anions of fluoride (F−), chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3 −), phosphate (PO4 3−) and sulfate (SO4 2−) using ion chromatography. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA)/absolute principal component scores (APCS) model was applied to the mass concentrations of PM10 and its chemical species. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation identified five possible sources; solid waste dumping, vehicular emission, coal combustion, cooking and soil dust at residential site. The extracted possible sources at the industrial site were vehicular emissions, coal combustion, electroplating industry, tyre wear and secondary aerosol. A quantitative estimation by principal component analysis–multiple linear regression (PCA–MLR) model indicated that solid waste dumping contributed 36%, vehicular emissions 26%, coal combustion 13%, cooking 8% and soil dust 4% at the residential site. The PCA–MLR apportioned 37% to vehicular emissions, 29% to coal combustion, 18% to electroplating industry, 8% to tyre wear and 1% to secondary aerosol at the industrial site. Due to the limitation in source marker species analyzed, 13% at Kasba and 7% at Cossipore could not be apportioned to any possible sources by this technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Proper diagnosis of Low Back Pain (LBP) is quite challenging in especially the developing countries like India. Though some developed countries prepared guidelines for evaluation of LBP with tests to detect psychological overlay, implementation of the recommendations becomes quite difficult in regular clinical practice, and different specialties of medicine offer different modes of management. Aiming at offering an expert-level diagnosis for the patients having LBP, this paper uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to derive a clinically justified and highly sensitive LBP resolution technique.Materials and Methods: The paper considers exhaustive knowledge for different LBP disorders (classified based on different pain generators), which have been represented using lattice structures to ensure completeness, non-redundancy, and optimality in the design of knowledge base. Further the representational enhancement of the knowledge has been done through construction of a hierarchical network, called RuleNet, using the concept of partially-ordered set (poset) with respect to the subset equality (⊆) relation. With implicit incorporation of probability within the knowledge, the RuleNet is used to derive reliable resolution logic along with effective resolution of uncertainties during clinical decision making.Results: The proposed methodology has been validated with clinical records of seventy seven LBP patients accessed from the database of ESI Hospital Sealdah, India over a period of one year from 2018 to 2019. Achieving 83% sensitivity of the proposed technique, the pain experts at the hospital find the design clinically satisfactory. The inferred outcomes have also been found to be homogeneous with the actual or original diagnosis.Discussions: The proposed approach achieves the clinical and computational efficiency by limiting the shortcomings of the existing methodologies for AI-based LBP diagnosis. While computational efficiency (with respect to both time and space complexity) is ensured by inferring clinical decisions through optimal processing of the knowledge items using poset, the clinical acceptability has been ascertained reaching to the most-likely diagnostic outcomes through probabilistic resolution of clinical uncertainties.Conclusion: The derived resolution technique, when embedded in LBP medical expert systems, would provide a fast, reliable, and affordable healthcare solution for this ailment to a wider range of general population suffering from LBP. The proposed scheme would significantly reduce the controversies and confusion in LBP treatment, and cut down the cost of unnecessary or inappropriate treatment and referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt is made in this paper to report how a supervised methodology has been adopted for the task of Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) in Bengali with necessary modifications. At the initial stage, four commonly used supervised methods, Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Naïve Bayes (NB), are developed at the baseline. These algorithms are applied individually on a data set of 13 most frequently used Bengali ambiguous words. On experimental basis, the baseline strategy is modified with two extensions: (a) inclusion of lemmatization process into the system and (b) bootstrapping of the operational process. As a result, the levels of accuracy of the baseline methods are slightly improved, which is a positive signal for the whole process of disambiguation as it opens scope for further modification of the existing method for better result. In this experiment, the data sets are prepared from the Bengali corpus, developed in the Technology Development for Indian Languages (TDIL) project of the Government of India and from the Bengali WordNet, which is developed at the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. The paper reports the challenges and pitfalls of the work that have been closely observed during the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Identification of the effect of valid factors on students' academic performance is of great importance to student counseling and policy making. Aims: This study was carried out to find the predictors of academic performance of 2nd year undergraduate medical students of a renowned Medical College of Kolkata. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Kolkata. The information on factors like attendance percentage, sex, place of residence, previous academic performance of the entire batch of 2nd year students was collected from the departments' academic records and through personal interview. The association of the above mentioned factors with students' academic performance was determined through statistical analysis using t-test and multiple linear regression modeling and the results were reported. Results: Academic performance is found to be weakly correlated with attendance. Better academic grade was observed for the group with high attendance percentage compared to the other with low attendance percentage (P < 0.01). Higher percentage of marks was observed to be scored by female students (P < 0.01), local students (P < 0.01) and high performers who were capable of successfully clearing their 1st year's coursework in their first attempt (P < 0.01). Conclusion: All the factors studied in this paper which includes attendance, sex, place of residence and previous academic performance serve as predictors in understanding students' performance. Among the above mentioned, the attendance of the students is an important factor that has to be monitored and regulated through corrective actions to improve the performance of the class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of the paper is to study the role of partogram in the outcome of spontaneous labour in primigravidae at term with singleton pregnancy and vertex as the presenting part. Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the labour room of the department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, over a period of one year i.e. from June 2011 to May 2012 after obtaining approval from the institutional ethical committee. Analysis of the progress of labour was done in five hundred women with the help of modified WHO partograph. The study population was divided into three groups. Group I had a total observed duration of active stage six hours or less and their cervicograph remained on or to the left of the alert line. Group II had total observed duration of active phase between more than six hours and less than ten hours and their cervicograph remained between the alert and action line. Group III, who had the duration of observed active phase more than 10 hours, had their cervicograph crossing the action line. The different types of abnormal labor were studied. The maternal and fetal outcomes were assessed. Results: 80.8% of the women belonged to group I, 15.2% to group II and 4% to group III. Surgical interference increased as the labour curve moved to the right of the alert line. Use of partogram helped in overall reduction in the duration of labour. Timely intervention reduced the incidence of prolonged labour and its sequelae. 19.2% of the women showed abnormal labour. Severe complications were successfully averted. There were no cases of maternal death, puerperal sepsis, ruptured uterus or fresh still births. Overall neonatal mortality rate was also reduced. Conclusions: The use of modified WHO partograph significantly improves the outcome of labour in both maternal & neonatal perspective. The WHO partograph should be used in all maternity units with incorporated management guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of the paper was to study the spectrum of gynecological disorders in HIV positive woman, which are often not given much importance as the issue of antiretroviral therapy and management of opportunistic infections occupy the major share of their treatment strategy. Methods: It was an observational study which included 135 women. The study was conducted in the Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata from January 2010 to December 2012 after obtaining permission from the institutional ethics committee. All the HIV positive women who came to the gynecological outpatient department with gynecological complaints were included in the study. Results: The seropositive women suffered from the same range of gynecological problems as in non-infected women. The most common complaints at presentation were vaginal white discharge and pruritus vulvae. The most common postoperative complication was fever. Conclusions: The HIV/AIDS is taking the shape of a generalized epidemic and with the advances in the antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of the patients is increasing. With the improvement of survival more and more of HIV positive women would present with problems pertaining to any system of the body and the gynecological complaint is not an exception. Addressing these problems would lead to boosting up of the care and support of this subset of women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1912, C.B. Robinson published an analysis of the Hortus Bengalensis. This work by William Roxburgh consists of a listing of the plant species growing in the East India Company Botanic Garden in Calcutta, and the new species Roxburgh was intending to publish in his Flora Indica. No descriptions are included in the Hortus Bengalensis, but as Robinson pointed out, a minority of names included are validated by citation of descriptions published elsewhere. The current paper reviews these names, particularly in terms of their application and typification. The identity of Laurus nítida Roxb. is clarified, and Cinnamo-mum nitidum (Roxb.) Hook, is shown to be the correct name for C. burmanni (Nees & T. Nees) Blume. A proposal to reject the name Laurus nitida Roxb, in order to maintain the accepted nomenclature of this important spice plant has been submitted. A number of cases are highlighted where later application of names first validated in the Hortus Bengalensis conflicts with their typification. These include Bambusa baccifera Roxb. (= Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz), Calamus latifolius Roxb, Arum gracile Roxb. and Morinda bracteata Roxb. Proposals to conserve Bambusa baccifera Roxb. and Calamus latifolius Roxb. with conserved types have been made in order to maintain the current application of these and other important bamboo and rattan names. Despite the work of Robinson, and subsequent analyses of Merrill and others, certain names validated by Roxburgh are still not always recognised as the correct ones, e.g. Holostemma annularium (Roxb.) K. Schum. for H. ada-kodien Schult, Bambusa spinosa Roxb. for B. blumeana Schult. f, Ficus racemifera Roxb. for F. nodosa Teijsm. & Binnend. A num-ber of nomenclatural changes are required based on the current investigation: Typhonium harpung Srib, J. Murata, K.. Iwats. & I.M. Turner, replaces T. gracile (Roxb.) Schott excluding its nomenclatural type; Aganosma heynei (Spreng.) I.M. Turner, comb, nov, replaces A. dichotoma K. Schum, Hibiscus tortuosus Roxb. (= Talipariti tortuosum (Roxb.) Fryxell) is a synonym of Talipariti tiliaceum (L.) Fryxell, Diospyros nigra (J.F. Gmel.) Perr. is the correct name for D. digyna Jacq, the Nicobar breadfruit is correctly Pandanus leram Jones ex R. Millar, Sesbania aculeata (Schreb.) Pers. is the correct name for Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) Spreng. ex Steud, Asclepias senecionifolia M.E. Jones is the correct name for A. rosea Kunth and Salvia cana Wall, ex Benth. is correct for what has been called S. lanata Roxb. or S. mukerjeei Bennet & Raizada. Lectotypes are designated for 46 names and neotypes are designated for two names. Epitypes are designated for three names in which the identity of the lectotype is demonstrably ambiguous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The association between the monthly total ozone concentration and monthly maximum temperature over Kolkata (22.56°N, 88.30° E), India, has been explored in this paper. For this, the predictability of monthly maximum temperature based on the total ozone as predictor is investigated using Artificial Neural Network. The presence of persistence and similar cyclic patterns are revealed through autocorrelation and cross-correlation coefficients. Common cycles of length 12 and 6 have been identified through periodogram. Hence, a predictive model has been generated by Artificial Neural Network in the form of Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) using scaled conjugate gradient learning with sigmoid non-linearity. After training and testing the network, an MLP with total ozone of month n as predictor and maximum temperature of month (n +1) as the target output is found as the best model. Performance of the model has been judged statistically. Finally, the MLP model has been compared with linear and non-linear regressions and the efficiency of MLP has been established over the regression models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper covers different aspects related to X-ray fluorescence activities at Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India. In its first part, experiments on basic physical problems are illustrated and in the second part, some applications related to X-ray fluorescence are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the modeling and analysis of a greenhouse-integrated power system consisting of solar photovoltaic panels, electrolyzer bank and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks. Electric power is generated in an array of solar photovoltaic modules. Excess energy after meeting the requirements of the greenhouse during peak sunshine hours, is supplied to an electrolyzer bank to generate hydrogen gas, which is consumed by the PEM fuel cell stack to support the power requirement during the energy deficit hours. The predicted performance of the integrated system is presented for different climatic conditions, for a given location (Kolkata) in the Indian subcontinent. The study reveals that 51 solar photovoltaic modules each of 75W p along with a 3.3kW electrolyzer and 2 PEM fuel cell stacks, each of 480W, can support the energy requirement of a 90m2 floriculture greenhouse with fan-pad ventilated system. The study shows that this integrated power system provides a viable option for powering stand-alone greenhouses in a self-sustained manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research paper about rapid evaluation of water supply project in Kolkata, India. It states that the study used a methodology suited for local condition and significant data were collected to estimate the cost of supply, wherein the artificial neural network was used. Moreover, the study shows that consumers were eager to pay for the supply of drinking water.

Two highway bridge approaches, about 10 and 12 m in height, near Kolkata (Calcutta), India constructed with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) failed recently. These structures were founded on sensitive, soft and compressible, fine-grained soils of the intertidal flats and backswamps of the Ganges delta. One of these MSE walls, which failed in the final stages of its construction, was constructed after foundation soils were strengthened with prefabricated vertical drain installation and preloading. The second MSE wall that failed within a month of its opening for traffic was constructed on unimproved ground. Fortunately, immediate collateral damage from these incidents was small. Using pre and postconsolidation shear strengths the MSE walls were redesigned. Reconstruction involved prefabricated vertical drain installation at the second site and construction of stabilizing berms at both locations. The facilities are now operational and appear to be performing satisfactorily. Details of the failures, postfailure investigations, and monitoring, redesign, and reconstruction are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicine seems to collect evidence in ways entirely different from social anthropology. It aims to gather ‘best evidence’ through large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and advanced methods of statistical analysis. The latest phase in this drive towards quantification is the global rise of evidence-based medicine (EBM). From the perspective of EBM, ethnographic evidence, with all its emphasis on ‘local’ knowledge, is at best anecdotal, at worst insignificant. Anthropological engagements with EBM have just begun, and much work – both empirically and conceptually – remains to be done. This paper takes up the challenge posed by EBM and develops three propositions for an ‘evidence-based medical anthropology’. The first proposition is that anthropologists have to study medical evidence-making differently than before. The second proposition is that EBM compels anthropologists to reconsider what they see as ‘evidence’. The third proposition reverses the analysis once more to suggest that anthropological evidence can discover fundamental blindspots in EBM. The examples presented here are drawn from research on treatments of depression by general physicians and psychiatrists in Kolkata (Calcutta, India). Résumé La recherche de preuves en anthropologie sociale et en médecine semble être radicalement différente. Le but de cette dernière est de réunir « les meilleures preuves » grâce à de grandes études randomisées et contrôlées et à des méthodes avancées d'analyse statistique. La dernière phase de cette recherche de quantification est la montée en régime de la médecine evidence-based, basée sur les preuves, dans le monde entier. Du point de vue de la médecine basée sur les preuves, la preuve ethnographique, mettant l'accent sur la connaissance « locale », est au mieux anecdotique, au pire insignifiante. Les anthropologues commencent tout juste à relever les défis posés par cette démarche et beaucoup de travail reste à faire au niveau à la fois empirique et conceptuel. L'auteur développe trois propositions pour une « anthropologie médicale basée sur les preuves ». La première proposition est que les anthropologues doivent changer d'approche dans leur étude de la recherche de preuves en médecine. La deuxième est que la médecine basée sur les preuves oblige les anthropologues à reconsidérer ce qu'ils voient comme des « preuves ». La troisième proposition inverse une fois de plus l'analyse pour suggérer que la preuve anthropologique peut révéler les angles morts fondamentaux de la médecine basée sur les preuves. Les exemples présentés ici sont issus de recherches sur le traitement de la dépression réalisées par des généralistes et des psychiatres à Kolkata (Calcutta), en Inde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses ethnographic data from a sex workers' HIV project in India to consider the appropriateness of individual, social/group and structural theories of health behaviour when applied to HIV-prevention initiatives. Existing theories are critiqued for their modernist representation of behaviour as determined by individual rational decision-making processes or by external structural forces, with inadequate recognition being given to the roles that human agency, subjective meaning and local context play in everyday actions. Analysis of sex workers' accounts of their sexual practices suggests that existing theories of health behaviour can only partially account for sexual behaviour change retrospectively and that they have limited predictive value with respect to the outcomes of individual sexual encounters. Our data show that these outcomes were, in fact, highly context dependent, while possibilities for action were ultimately strongly constrained by structural forces. Findings suggest that interventions need to adopt an integrated, structurally-oriented approach for promoting safer sexual practices in sex work settings. Recognising that no one model of health behaviour is likely to be adequate in explaining or predicting behaviour change encourages responsiveness to local people's agency, recognises the different (health- and non-health-related) registers of risk with which people operate and encourages flexibility according to local contingencies and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the traffic information considers a single item like travel time or delay. In the present work, enhanced traffic information displaying instantaneous travel time and its variation from the previous interval to the present, is considered. An initial investigation is made on the effectiveness of such traffic information on route choice behavior of trip makers by valuation of attributes of the traffic information. Taking a case study of two urban corridors in the Kolkata metro city, India, the valuation is done separately for private car and taxi trip makers. The stated preference (choice based) data collected from trip makers are analyzed using both multinomial logit (MNL) and mixed logit (ML) modeling techniques. Assuming sparsely used constrained triangular distribution of random parameters, two different types of ML model are developed: one with independent choice sets and the other one by accounting heterogeneity around the mean of random parameter(s). Both family income and trip purpose are found to decompose heterogeneity around the mean estimate(s). The values of travel time and their variation presented in the paper encourage further investigation on such type of traffic information for management of congestion on alternative urban corridors both spatially and temporally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lockdown of the industrial and transport sector and stay at home advisories to counter the COVID-19 pandemic have shown that the air quality has improved during this time, very little is known about the role of ambient air pollutants and meteorology in facilitating its transmission. This paper presents the findings from a study that was conducted to evaluate whether air quality index (AQI), three primary pollutants (PM 2.5 , PM 10 and CO), Ground level ozone (O 3) and three meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed) have promoted the COVID-19 transmission in five megacities of India. The results show significant correlation of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO, O 3 concentrations, AQI and meteorological parameters with the confirmed cases and deaths during the lockdown period. Among the meteorological variables considered, temperature strongly correlated with the COVID-19 cases and deaths during the lockdown (r = 0.54 ; 0.25) and unlock period (r = 0.66 ; 0.25). Among the pollutants, ozone, and among the meteorological variables, temperature, explained the highest variability, up to 34% and 30% respectively, for COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths. AQI was not a significant parameter for explaining the variations in confirmed and death cases. WS and RH could explain 10–11% and 4–6% variations of COVID-19 cases. A GLM model could explain 74% and 35% variability for confirmed cases and deaths during the lockdown and 66% and 19% variability during the unlock period. The results suggest that meteorological parameters may have promoted the COVID-19 incidences, especially the confirmed cases. Our findings may encourage future studies to explore more about the role of ambient air pollutants and meteorology on transmission of COVID-19 and similar infectious diseases. [Display omitted] • During lockdown for COVID-19, air quality improved in five megacities of India. • PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO concentration across the megacities reduced during the lockdown. • Delhi and Kolkata experienced rise in O 3 concentration during lockdown. • PM 2.5 , PM 10 , CO, O 3 , AQI and T correlated with COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths. • Temperature explained up to 30% variability for COVID-19 cases during the lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and context: Presently estimated annual cancer cases in India are ∼1 million new incidences and 0.6 million deaths leading to a serious problem. Tobacco habit is very common in India with estimated 330 million tobacco users and is attributed to ∼45% of all cancers. Presently each year ∼0.9 million Indians die due to tobacco related diseases including cancer. Aim: Thus combined awareness programs on cancer and tobacco are essential to educate people for avoiding risks of cancer and other diseases. Strategy/Tactics: In our unique approach, we have included in the PowerPoint & other presentations anticancer and antitobacco philatelic items along with up-to-date data, pictures etc. Cancer awareness presentation is divided in 28 sections covering cause, treatment, detection etc. emphasizing prevention in respect of dietary and lifestyle habits. In our pioneer paper, we have demonstrated that anticancer and other stamps can be used to describe different aspects of cancer covering 12 sections. Further based on universally accepted "caution" describing seven danger signals of cancer, we have created equivalent words in two Indian languages namely Bengali and Hindi spoken by ∼215 and ∼490 million people worldwide. These are included in our presentations to aware people about its symptoms. Our philatelic display on tobacco is divided in 19 sections including tobacco associated diseases, tobacco and women and children, quitting tips etc. Outcomes: Since 2002, we have conducted ∼230 awareness programs in various organizations in urban and rural areas in individual capacity and as Principal Investigator, Tobacco Cessation Centre, Kolkata, during 2005-09. It is found that irrespective of age and educational status, everybody understands the message conveyed through this visual display. A section of people has quitted the tobacco habit while another section could reduce tobacco consumption significantly. Further we have published 70 and 40 write-ups on cancer and tobacco respectively in several widely circulated Indian newspapers, magazines etc. that have reached the community. We have also delivered radio and TV talks. All these efforts have helped, to some extent, to control cancer and tobacco in India. Based on this work I have received prestigious 'I'm like me' award in the preventive healthcare category of the most circulated Bengali newspaper group in West Bengal. This large collection of stamps on cancer has been recognized as the world Record and published in Limca Book of Records 2018 page 30. What was learned: It is learnt that along with other methods this philatelic approach may be adopted for getting excellent results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers insights about the artwork of Arjun Ray, wife of a well-known architect from Calcutta, India. She is an artist that does not deal with theories. The work produced by Ray are made of leather, straw, felt, and other materials. It also include statuettes, which at first seem to be made of porcelain, but which are really shells. One of the statuettes created by Ray is known as "After Me Cometh One." Her artwork may come from a piece of sapwood, bark or root and is mounted on a base. However, without Ray's creativity, these works of art would be no more than twisted roots and brambles and branches of deodar, cedar and gardenia.