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In the fireworks industry (FI), many accidents and explosions frequently happen due to human error (HE). Human factors (HFs) always play a dynamic role in the incidence of accidents in workplace environments. Preventing HE is a main challenge for safety and precautions in the FI. Clarifying the relationship between HFs can help in identifying the correlation between unsafe behaviors and influential factors in hazardous chemical warehouse accidents. This paper aims to investigate the impact of HFs that contribute to HE, which has caused FI disasters, explosions, and incidents in the past. This paper investigates why and how HEs contribute to the most severe accidents that occur while storing and using hazardous chemicals. The impact of fireworks and match industry disasters has motivated the planning of mitigation in this proposal. This analysis used machine learning (ML) and recommends an expert system (ES). There were many significant correlations between individual behaviors and the chance of HE to occur. This paper proposes an ML-based prediction model for fireworks and match work industries in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. For this study analysis, the questionnaire responses are reviewed for accuracy and coded from 500 participants from the fireworks and match industries in Tamil Nadu who were chosen to fill out a questionnaire. The Chief Inspectorate of Factories in Chennai and the Training Centre for Industrial Safety and Health in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, significantly contributed to the collection of accident datasets for the FI in Tamil Nadu, India. The data are analyzed and presented in the following categories based on this study's objectives: the effect of physical, psychological, and organizational factors. The output implemented by comparing ML models, support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and Naïve Bayes (NB) accuracy is 86.45%, 91.6%, and 92.1%, respectively. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) has the optimal classification accuracy of 94.41% of ML models. This research aims to create a new ES to mitigate HE risks in the fireworks and match work industries. The proposed ES reduces HE risk and improves workplace safety in unsafe, uncertain workplaces. Proper safety management systems (SMS) can prevent deaths and injuries such as fires and explosions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, water contamination is a serious environmental issue. Untreated sewage is typically the main cause of water contamination in India. Protecting water quality for sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction becomes a greatest challenge with the technological change and population growth. Measurement of Water Quantity and Real Time Monitoring becomes mandate to advance the water stewardship. In this paper, to keep track of the quality, smart water quality monitoring system(Ph, temperature, turbidity) and analysing of water quantity (flow or level) based on IOT is proposed for the study area of Okkiyam Maduvu, watershed in Chennai. This system is implemented using various sensors to measure the water quality like Ph, temperature, turbidity sensor and for analysing water water quantity used flow or level sensors. All these sensors are controlled by using the microcontroller - Arduino ESP32. This proposed system is placed in the study area Okkiyam Maduvu watershed to monitor water quality and quantity and visualized those sensed data using the IOT platform through Blynk App. This helps to know the water level and its quality of Okkiyam Maduvu watershed and it helps to take necessary precaution if the water quality is reduced and its level raised beyond the level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a fast-moving world, transportation consumes most of the time and resources. Traffic prediction has become a thrust application for machine learning algorithms to overcome the hurdles faced by congestion. Its accuracy determines the selection and existence of machine learning algorithms. The accuracy of such an algorithm is improved better by the proper tuning of the parameters. Support Vector Regression (SVR) is a well-known prediction mechanism. This paper exploits the Hybrid Grey Wolf Optimization–Bald Eagle Search (GWO-BES) algorithm for tuning SVR parameters, wherein the GWO selection methods are of natural selection. SVR-GWO-BES with natural selection has error performance increases by 48% in Mean Absolute Percentage Error and Root Mean Square Error, with the help of Caltrans Performance Measurement System (PeMS) open-source data and Chennai city traffic data for traffic forecasting. It is also shown that the increasing population of search agents increases the performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air is one of the most fundamental constituents for the sustenance of life on earth. The meteorological, traffic factors, consumption of nonrenewable energy sources, and industrial parameters are steadily increasing air pollution. These factors affect the welfare and prosperity of life on earth; therefore, the nature of air quality in our environment needs to be monitored continuously. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which indicates air quality, is influenced by several individual factors such as the accumulation of NO2, CO, O3, PM2.5, SO2, and PM10. This research paper aims to predict and forecast the AQI with Machine Learning (ML) techniques, namely linear regression and time series analysis. Primarily, Multilinear Regression (MLR) model, supervised machine learning, is developed to predict AQI. NO2, Ozone(O2), PM 2.5, and SO2 sensor output collected from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Chennai region, India, fed as input features and optimized AQI calculated from sensor's output set as a target to train the regression model. The obtained model parameters are validated with new and unseen sensor output. The Key Performance Indices (KPI) like coefficient of determination, root mean square error, and mean absolute error were calculated to validate the model accuracy. The K-cross-fold validation for testing data of MLR was obtained as around 92%. Secondly, the Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) time series model is applied to forecast the AQI. The obtained model parameters were validated with unseen data with a timestamp. The forecasted AQI value of the next 15 days lies in a 95 % confidence interval zone. The model accuracy of test data was obtained as more than 80%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the onset times of precipitation over densely populated cities for the purposes of timely evacuation is a challenge. This paper explored a flooding event over an urban built environment in a South Asian mega city, Chennai, where extant urban planning models rely on predicted rainwater amounts for early warning and impact assessment studies. However, the time duration of flooding events is related to the nature of the urban sprawl in the built environment. Any evacuation measure is invariably tied down to the time duration over which the precipitation event occurs, and therefore to the expected time of a precipitation event to begin. In this context, a crucial parameter useful to municipal authorities is the onset time of precipitation. This study used optimised analytical formulations to predict this time, and the derived analytical expressions for the case study yielded comparable times estimated from a computer-intensive full-scale large eddy model within an accuracy of 2%. It is suggested that municipal authorities (who are non-experts in fluid mechanics) use this early prediction for the purposes of quick alerts to a congested city's most vulnerable citizens within urban sprawls. However, for the procedure to work at its best, it involves a two-stage procedure. The first step involves the use of a parcel model to obtain the expected cloud droplet spectral spreads based on the prevailing dynamical characterisations. The second step involves an optimisation procedure involving cloud spectral properties from the first step to quantify both the auto-conversion rates and the threshold. Thereafter, an onset time calculation based on cloud properties is estimated. These new results are cast in closed form for easy incorporation into meteorological applications over a variety of urban scales. Rain mass amounts were also predicted analytically and used to configure Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System (ARCGIS) to compute low drainage flow rates over the vulnerable parts of Chennai city. It was found that heavy precipitation over the North Chennai region yielded discharge rates to the tune of ~250 m 3 s − 1 during a 24 h period, causing intense flooding in the low-lying areas around the Cooum River basin with a large population density, with estimates sufficiently corroborating observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integration of phase change material (PCM) in walls and roof of a building is done to augment human comfort at places where variation of local diurnal temperature of ambient air is extensive. An exhaustive tool to study on year-round thermal effect due to solar radiation falling on a building is generally required to identify the correct PCM and the portion of a year that warrants better thermal management. The transient behavior associated with PCM heat transfer through building roof and walls vary in accordance with location and orientation of the building and the prevailing seasons. Hence, it becomes necessary to carry out a detailed analysis with the integration of PCM layers and to collect information with suitable theoretical approach as experimental study on energy performance of a building is time-consuming and expensive. In this paper, a 3-D building model has been developed and analyzed using ANSYS FLUENT for performing CFD analysis for comparing two identical buildings with and without PCM located at Chennai. The PCM was integrated in roof and walls of the building and analysis was carried out for different days of the year. A novel concept of PCM effectiveness index is introduced to measure the thermal performance due to PCM integration in building. This novel concept is useful for building engineers to measure the effectiveness of PCM integration and to select the correct PCM for thermal management in buildings at any location and time of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the development of a public transport trip planner to help the urban traveller in planning and preparing for his commute using public transportation in the city. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach that handles realtime Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data from buses of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai City (India) has been used to develop the planner. The GA has been shown to provide good solutions within the problem's computation time constraints. The developed trip planner has been implemented for static network data first and subsequently extended to use real-time data. The "walk mode" and Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) have also been included in the geospatial database to extend the route-planner's capabilities. The algorithm has subsequently been segmented to speed up the prediction process. In addition, a temporal cache has also been introduced during implementation, to handle multiple queries generated simultaneously. The results showed that there is promise for scalability and citywide implementation for the proposed real-time route-planner. The uncertainty and poor service quality perceived with public transport bus services in India could potentially be mitigated by further developments in the route-planner introduced in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delineates the process of activation of soot or black carbon particles into cloud droplets over Chennai, India (an Asian megacity). Archaic wood-fired cooking stove emissions from crowded shantytown settlements dispense copious amounts of carbonaceous particles into the city's atmosphere during morning and evening cooking periods. Traffic emissions also add considerably to the city's particulate matter loads. At other times, when these sources are reduced (e.g. during non-cooking periods), a pall of residual pollution hovers above the city. This study assesses this problem definitively through process modelling studies undertaken during a typical pre-monsoonal month (October) when the levels of pollution are very high. The novelty of this paper includes a clear quantification of the percentage of activated nuclei resulting from these sources using a sophisticated cloud chemical parcel model. The results show that 85% of the soot and black carbon particles are activated into very small low-lying cloud droplets within Chennai's boundary layer. We further show for the first time that the presence of these particles results in a slowing down of the auto-conversion process (cloud water to rain droplets). This study could serve as a pointer for other Asian Cities with a sizeable shantytown population in India and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging test. OCT imaging is analogous to ultrasound imaging, except that it uses light instead of sound. In this type of image, microscopic quality intratissue images are provided. In addition, fast and direct imaging of tissue morphology and reproducibility of results are the advantages of this imaging. Macular holes are a common eye disease that leads to visual impairment. The macular perforation is a rupture in the central part of the retina that, if left untreated, can lead to vision loss. A novel method for detecting macular holes using OCT images based on multilevel thresholding and derivation is proposed in this paper. This is a multistep method, which consists of segmentation, feature extraction, and feature selection. A combination of thresholding and derivation is used to diagnose the macular hole. After feature extraction, the features with useful information are selected and finally the output image of the macular hole is obtained. An open-access data set of 200 images with the size of 224 × 224 pixels from Sankara Nethralaya (SN) Eye Hospital, Chennai, India, is used in the experiments. Experimental results show better-diagnosing results than some recent diagnosing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy is an efficient source in the present world and it is very significant. Huge building systems such as luxury hotels, commercial complex, malls and educational institutes require chiller plants for air-conditioning purpose in their premises. In this paper, a case analysis on energy savings and efficiency improvement of a chiller plant is done for a luxury hotel building located at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The building consists of carrier make 2 Nos. 633 kW/180 TR and 1 No. 1185 kW/337 TR water cooled chillers. The chiller plant system at the site consumes up to 43% of the facility's annual energy cost. To increase the energy savings and efficiency of existing system and to achieve a lower number on the Specific Power Consumption (SPC), the existing chiller plant is retrofitted with 1 No. 879 kW/250 TR Premium efficiency chiller and an energy analysis is done by simulating the proposed chiller using Chiller Plant Automation (CPA) software and by understanding the energy usage of the chiller as per the site operating load and weather conditions. With the change in chiller, the system efficiency of the hotel increased by 40% and the energy consumption reduced to 38%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Teachers of English for specific purposes (ESP) face challenges when helping engineering students to comprehend discipline-specific reading materials because these students have not been exposed to engineering reading materials at the secondary-school level. This study examines how to best create Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)-specific, student-friendly reading materials for engineering learners to make the transition from general topics to engineering topics comfortable. About the case: Working at affiliated colleges of Anna University, Chennai, India, we substituted reading materials for those used in textbooks to improve our students’ receptivity to reading classes. We discuss reading as a skill, the level of reading comprehension needed in the engineering context, and its relevance to technical and professional communication. Situating the case: The study focuses on the need to design materials for the engineering classroom. Methods: Our methods include a present-situation analysis to examine the challenges that teachers encounter, and analysis of qualitative feedback on the reading materials and activities introduced in the classroom. Results and discussion: The paper includes our experiences in designing reading materials: conducting the present-situation analysis, finding and designing appropriate reading materials, creating and implementing reading activities, and collecting feedback. The responses of the learners indicate that introducing STEM-specific material may increase the learners’ participation and improve their comprehension skills. Conclusion: The study shows that STEM-specific, student-friendly reading materials fostered a positive attitude and improved, high-level comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state of Andhra Pradesh has a long history of library system before Indian independence as part of the Madras Presidency. Significant changes have taken place in the public library system over the time. This paper gives a brief description of the public library movement, aims and objectives of the library movement, library legislation and organizational structure of public library system in A.P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient is a concept which is giving its importance in the recent days. It refers to the capability of an individual to understand, express and control his own emotions and to handle interpersonal relationship in a positive manner. This paper is aimed at studying the Emotional intelligence of academicians and their impact on the wellbeing of the students. The sample size is 100. Data has been collected from both the Gender. Academicians with various years of experience has been considered for this study. The researcher has collected data using a standard questionnaire which was constructed and developed by Wong et al., (Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence scale WLEIS). Data has been analyzed with different statistical tools and the results are interpreted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

William J. Niblock (WJN), an Assistant Surgeon at the Madras General Hospital (MGH), published a paper 'Cancer in India' (2 pages of text and 3 pages of tables) in the Indian Medical Gazette in 1902. He appears to have been a popular surgeon in Madras who surgically treated mouth cancers, testicular filariasis, and calcareous stones in the liver, gall bladder, and kidney. His 'Cancer in India' article is a compilation of numerical data of different cancers recorded in MGH from 1892 to 1901 mostly, and from 1896 to 1901 occasionally. In this article, WJN refers to cancers of different internal organs and external parts. He attributes the mouth cancers to constant chewing of 'betel' (the betel quid), which he explains as giving rise to leukoplakia, forerunner of buccal carcinoma. He supplies many, easily comparable, paired tables. These tables are made of raw numbers about the diverse human populations living in Madras, such as the Indians (Hindus and Muslims), Europeans, and Eurasians (Anglo-Indians) extracted from the 10-year records of MGH. None of the tables has been analyzed statistically. Nevertheless, he supplies the total numbers of admissions into MGH, which serve usefully as denominators in this study; occasionally, he presents data as percentages. Despite the lack of parametric statistical analysis, WJN's article, written in 1902, impresses as a useful contribution, because it provides a cross-sectional view of cancer incidence in Madras, particularly in defiance of Saldanha's supposition that cancers do not manifest in dark-skinned people, such as Indians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses about the results of a short term monitoring study of sea coast contaminated with oil spill. Collision of two oil-cargo ships, namely BW Maple and MT Dawn Kanchipuram near the Ennore Port, Chennai had released an approximately 200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. We analyzed four different oil spill samples collected from Chennai beaches for different time intervals (1st, 3rd, 6th, 10th day of oil spill) from 1 km away from the source of the off shore spill location. The physicochemical characteristics of spilled oil sludge, concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in the spilled oil were investigated. The variations in pH, moisture content and volatile hydrocarbon content, viscosity and density of the spilled oil were in the range of 7 ± 0.2, 255–575 g/kg, 118 to 850 PaS and 1.04 to 0.98 g/cm3 respectively. Elemental analysis showed that C, H, N and S were in the range of 9.9–13.3 (%), 0.63 to 1.76 (%), 1.88 to 1.02 (%) and 0.29 to 0.27 (%) respectively. Analysis of oil spill samples using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS) shows the presence of recalcitrant and hazardous PAHs such as fluoranthene and pyrene. Ocean sediments were collected at different locations along the coast line from Ennore to Cooum after 60 days of oil spill and analyzed for TPH in GCMS. The results showed that the residual concentrations of TPH varied from 0.19 to 3.43 mg/g. The presence of heavy PAHs, which are highly toxic and recalcitrant, could pose a severe threat to the marine environment and ecology.The long term effects of these compounds were unexplored on marine environment. This environmental monitoring study gives an overview about the post oil spill activities and steps taken to remediate the sludge along the coastline. Image 1 • This study highlights the immediate fate and characteristics of the Chennai oil spill over a short period. • Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration increased from third day to sixth day and then stabilized. • Viscosity of the spilled oil increased eight times from day1 to day 10 after the oil spill. • Priority pollutants such as Fluoranthene and pyrene were identified in beach sediments using GC-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to test the relationship between the annual income earned by the investors and eight behavioural biases exhibited by the investors such as mental accounting, anchoring, gambler's fallacy, availability, loss aversion, regret aversion, representativeness and overconfidence. Design/methodology/approach - The relationship is derived based on a questionnaire survey conducted on 436 secondary equity investors residing in Chennai, India. Findings - Analysis of variance test was performed on the normalised and non-normalised version of the biases divided in terms of the annual income earned by the investor. The test found that for the significant biases except the overconfidence bias, the investors with higher annual income were less prone to the biases when compared to investors with lower annual income. On the other hand, with respect to the overconfidence bias, the investors with higher annual income were prone to exhibit overconfidence bias when compared to the investors with lower annual income. Correlation analysis showed that the investors with high annual income were more likely to exhibit higher overconfidence bias but lower representativeness, loss aversion, availability and mental accounting biases. Originality/value - A contribution in the financial and economic front which would benefit the financial advisors to now consider the income earned by the clients as an important factor while giving financial advice to the clients and while guiding themabout the biases they are prone to exhibit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pituitary Microadenomas can be defined as small lesions less than 1 cm in the pituitary and detected as incidentalomas. Partial development or late development around puberty leads to maldevelopment of secondary sexual characteristics due to pituitary adenomas. Clinically this may manifest as secondary amenorrhoea and may lead to hyperprolactinaemia, galactorrhoea and Amenorrhoea. ACTH secreting micro adenomas of the Pituitary Gland is a clinical entity where the role of surgery is contemplated. This study attempted to explore the management options and strategies for pituitary microadenomas. The aim of the study: To highlight the characteristics of Cushing's disease and discuss the management strategies including trans-sphenoidal surgery to treat ACTH secreting pituitary microadenomas. Materials and methods: This was a non-randomised prospective observational study involving all adrenal tumors from 2007-2017 in Madras Medical College, Chennai. Two adrenocortical adenomas with virilising features were ruled out and 8 ACTH secreting Cushing's disease with microadenomas were identified. 3 Patients with ACTH secreting microadenomas of Cushing's disease underwent surgery whereas 3 underwent medical treatment based on which this paper attempted to discuss management strategies for Cushings disease. Results: ACTH levels were measurable with an average of 136.71pg/ml (normal 7.2-63.3 pg/ml) Corticotrophin releasing hormone test was planned to evaluate an exaggerated response of serum cortisol consistent with pituitary disease. It was not carried out and inferior petrosal sampling also was not done. Biochemical evaluation confirmed pituitary dependent Cushing's disease. MRI revealed a prominent circumscribed lesion suggestive of a Pituitary Micro Adenoma in All 6 Cases. Conclusion: Pituitary micro adenomas are operable and in Cushing's disease offer an effective cure. The outcome is good with minimal complications, but surgeons must have a thorough knowledge of the surrounding anatomy and potential complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that can affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra (the tube through which urine exits the body). The most common cause of UTIs is the transfer of bacteria from the rectum or vagina to the urethra. Around 80 percent are caused by E. coli bacteria commonly found in the gut or feces. Others, like Staphylococcus saprophyticus, are naturally found in the vagina and can be transferred to the urethra. The aim of the study: The study objectives were to assess the knowledge of adolescent girls regarding urinary tract infection and determine the association between knowledge regarding urinary tract infection and selected demographic variables. Materials and methods: This observational study was done in 2017-2018 at Department of Urogynecology, Institute Of Social Obstetrics, Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital, Chennai. 200 female adolescents were included in the study. BMI was calculated from height and weight. Height, weight, and BMI were considered for assessing malnutrition in adolescent girls. Urine samples were collected from 23 girls for microscopic examination for pus cells. The faculty members followed the investigators and guided them during the survey. The survey was completed within two days. Any girl complaining of three criteria of the case definition of UTI viz: increased frequency of micturition with; burning during micturition and pus cells in the urine were considered as a case of UTI for the purpose of the study. Results: There was a significant association between prevalence of UTI and improper perineal washing technique (CI = 95%, p< 0.001), malnutrition (CI = 95%, p< 0.001), presence of vaginal discharge (CI = 95%, p< 0.001) and use of unsanitary pads during menses (CI = 95%, p< 0.001). Misconception included not taking bath during periods and not eating certain foods. Low socioeconomic status was chiefly responsible for frequent use of the same piece of cloth as sanitary pads during menstrual bleeding leading to urinary tract infection. UTI was more (7.7%) in malnourished girls than in those with normal nutritional status. Significantly more (7.7%) girls having symptoms of vaginal discharge were suffering from a urinary infection. Conclusion: For the short term, the need is to give immediate health education about the causes, prevention, and treatment of UTI among adolescent girls of both the villages and treatment of the identified cases with the urinary antibiotics etc. Long term measures include a periodical screening of the adolescent girls for UTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is known to be one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. There were about 14.1 million incidences and 8.2 million deaths due to cancer globally. In terms of mouth cancer Age Standardized Rate is 4.0 per 100000 populations worldwide and 7.2 per 100000 populations in India. In Chennai, mouth cancer burden has significantly increased over the past decade irrespective of geographical region. In this paper, the mouth cancer incidence is used to analyze the spatial distribution for high risk and low risk areas of different zones in Chennai by gender for the period of 2004-2013. The aim of this study is to fit a Poisson Gamma model and to explore the Empirical Bayesian and frequentist approach for disease mapping of mouth cancer incidence for Chennai zones by sex. The results of the estimates reveal that the empirical Bayesian estimate is more stable than the conventional frequentist estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores beauty ideals prevalent among young women in Chennai, India. It is part of a larger project that contributes to the emerging scholarship around women's experiences in the rapidly changing landscape of urban India, with a focus on young female rural to urban migrants living in the city of Chennai (their destination). Drawing on findings from an ethnographic study of women living in hostel accommodation conducted in 2015 and 2016, I consider the talk, observations, and beauty practices of the research participants. In particular, I explore the ways in which 'lighter' skin colour is privileged as more desirable and how participants both reproduce and contest this construction. The discussion here delves into the obsessive aspiration for lighter skin, its gendered dimensions, and its reflection in online spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) set up as a not-for-profit scientific trust with M. S. Swaminathan as the Founder-Chairman in 1988 is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, natural resources management and rural development. Relevant science and ecotechnologies are harnessed for fostering human livelihood and conservation of nature. MSSRF has developed biovillages and modern ICT-based Village Knowledge Centres (VKCs) for skill and knowledge empowerment respectively of the rural communities. Ecotechnologies are the resultant of lending frontier technologies with traditional knowledge and ecological prudence of the indigenous communities. These have pro-nature, pro-poor and prowomen orientation. The evergreen revolution of MSSRF is designed to fight both the famines of food and rural livelihoods. As against the bureaucratic 'top-down' approach, MSSRF practices 'bottom-up' and participatory approach. The VKCs with lab to land and land to lab linkages provide solutions almost instantaneously to the problems of the small and marginal farming, fishing and landless rural families. These are briefly discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shrimp trawling represents an important fishing métier in South India, generating high levels of employment and economic value. It is also a contested métier, ostensibly contributing to environmental degradation and social inequality. This paper investigates the job satisfaction of crew members (captains and workers) on board the shrimp trawlers of Chennai (former Madras). Research took place in 2007 and 2008 (N = 137). Results suggest a general satisfaction with being in the fishery. However, a little over three-fifths of fishers said they would be willing to change fishing métier and about one-half said they would leave the occupation. About one-half also said they would not advise a young person to enter the occupation. The tendency to move away from the fishery is argued to reflect a growing pessimism about the future of the shrimp trawl fisheries, but also an increasing awareness of other economic opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Link performance functions commonly used for traffic assignment are often based on Volume Delay Functions (VDF) developed for homogeneous traffic. However, VDFs relating stream speed to the volume of traffic based on homogeneous lane-based traffic are not adequate for traffic assignment in developing countries due to the heterogeneous nature of traffic that is characterized by a mix of a wide range of vehicle classes with significant differences in static and dynamic characteristics and an imperfect lane discipline. Unfortunately, the use of VDFs similar to those for homogeneous traffic flow situations imposes strong restrictions considering two respects: 1) travel times at path and link levels can be obtained for an aggregated stream but not for individual vehicle types; 2) the effect of varying composition and asymmetric interactions is captured only to a limited extent by converting all vehicles into equivalent Passenger Car Unit (PCU). Hence, this paper proposes the development of VDFs specific to different classes of heterogeneous traffic, as it is more realistic in traffic assignment than the use of the same VDF for all classes of vehicles in a link. This study is aimed at developing models to determine the speed of each vehicle class as a function of flow and composition for six lane roads with heterogeneous traffic based on data obtained from Chennai city, India. Heterogeneity in this study mainly refers to differences in vehicle types (two-wheeler, car, bus, etc.) participating in mixed traffic. To develop multiple user class VDFs, the speed and flow of each vehicle class for a wide range of traffic flow conditions need to be recorded. As this is not possible using field measurements, an established micro-simulation model (HETEROSIM) is used for determining speeds for each vehicle type by systematically varying the volume and composition levels over a range of values that represent relevant and practical traffic conditions observed in six lane divided roads in Chennai city. The proposed delay functions are different from standard single user class VDFs in three key respects: first, they enable more realistic behaviour by modelling differences in class wise speeds at a given volume and composition level; second, they allow for capturing asymmetric interactions of different vehicle types on an average speed of a given vehicle class. Finally, speed-flow relationships for each class are also allowed to vary across volume levels which enable the representation of differential interactions at different levels of congestion in mixed traffic. The need for homogenizing the volumes in terms of a single class is obviated. The models significantly outperformed single class VDFs in both calibration and validation datasets. Further, the proposed models are used for analyzing heterogeneous traffic characteristics. Empirical evidence of asymmetric interactions and the impact of composition on classwise performance are also found and quantified. Finally, two applications of the proposed models are demonstrated for the level of service analysis of different classes and impact analysis of excluding some classes. The proposed models may have applications such as determining class wise road user costs and performance measures (e.g. emissions) that depend on class-specific speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the 1977 Tamil-language Honeymoon Couple, written by Crazy Mohan for comedian Kathadi Ramamurthy, as a typical play that illustrates the basic content as well as structural and aesthetic characteristics of the sabha theatre genre. This work exhibits the major traits that in my analysis constitute the genre: patronage by sabhas, with their middle-class, usually Brahmin, audience base; a central theme concerning marriage alliances and/or married life; scripted witty dialogue with a thin plot and one-liner jokes, often including language jokes that code-switch between Tamil and English; a socially conservative message; and an "amateur aesthetic" that involves minimal sets, costumes, and lighting, and two-hour evening or weekend matinee performances. The reading of Kathadi Ramamurthy's Honeymoon Couple illustrates the flamboyant quotidian nature of the pure comedy plays that focus on fast-paced dialogue filled with jokes, puns, and allusions, and works from that humor to a deeper understanding of middle-class Tamil Brahmin culture. Kristen Rudisill is an assistant professor in the Department of Popular Culture and affiliated faculty with the Asian Studies Program at Bowling Green State University. She earned her PhD in Asian studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently working on a book manuscript about the sabha theatre in Chennai as well as a book of translations of sabha plays. Her new project concerns Tamil film dance competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Background: During 2001-2007, the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India admitted 80 trainees in its two-year Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP). We evaluated the first seven years of the programme to identify strengths and weaknesses.Methods: We identified core components of the programme and broke them down into input, process, output and outcome. We developed critical indicators to reflect the logic model. We reviewed documents including fieldwork reports, abstracts listed in proceedings and papers published in Medline-indexed journals. We conducted an anonymous online survey of the graduates to collect information on self-perceived competencies, learning activities, field assignments, supervision, curriculum, relevance to career goals, strengths and weaknesses.Results: Of the 80 students recruited during 2001-2007, 69 (86%) acquired seven core competencies (epidemiology, surveillance, outbreaks, research, human subjects protection, communication and management) and graduated through completion of at least six field assignments. The faculty-to-student ratio ranged between 0.4 and 0.12 (expected: 0.25). The curriculum was continuously adapted with all resources available on-line. Fieldwork led to the production of 158 scientific communications presented at international meetings and to 29 manuscripts accepted in indexed, peer-reviewed journals. The online survey showed that while most graduates acquired competencies, unmet needs persisted in laboratory sciences, data analysis tools and faculty-to-student ratio.Conclusions: NIE adapted the international FETP model to India. However, further efforts are required to scale up the programme and to develop career tracks for field epidemiologists in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In India the emissions rate and fuel consumption of intra-city buses are estimated using the European driving cycles, which don’t represent Indian driving conditions and in-use operation of vehicles. This leads to underestimation or overestimation of emissions and fuel consumption. In this context, this paper offers some insight into the driving characteristics of intra-city buses using a Global Positioning System. The study has revealed that irrespective of road type and time of travel, a higher percentage of time is spent in idle mode. This is primarily due to alighting and boarding of passengers at regular intervals and fixed delays caused by traffic lights. More than 90 percent of trips have an average speed of less than 30 km h−1. This study has also developed an intra-city bus driving cycle for Chennai and compared it with some well-known international driving cycles. It has revealed that Chennai has unique driving characteristics and, therefore, it may not be appropriate to adopt a driving cycle of another country or city. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents different types of premature failures observed during full-scale testing of Transmission line towers at Tower Testing and Research Station, Structural Engineering Research Centre, Chennai. Failures that have been observed during testing are studied and the reasons are discussed in detail. The effect of non-triangulated hip bracing pattern and isolated hip bracings connected to elevation redundants in ‘K’ and ‘X’ braced panels, on tower behaviour are studied. The tower members are modeled using beam-column and plate elements. Different types of failures are modeled using finite element software and the analytical results and the test results are compared with various codal provisions. The non-linear finite element analysis program NE-NASTRAN has been used to model the elasto-plastic behaviour of towers. Importance of secondary member design and connection detail in overall performance of the tower was studied. Non-linear finite element analysis is useful in understanding the system behaviour and for prediction of failure pattern and ultimate load. Based on the test results the importance of studying the failures is highlighted. The need for testing of transmission line towers is emphasized. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The newly constructed port in 2001 at Ennore, on the southeast coast of India near Chennai, with breakwaters on either side (north and south) has been causing large-scale changes in nearshore morphology. Beach profiles and shoreline positions along 25 km coastline of Ennore were measured at regular intervals during 2001–06 to understand the sediment transport patterns in the region. At the same time the results of wave hind-casting and wave transformation modeling were incorporated in LITDRIFT model to compute the sediment transport rates along Ennore coast. The model results are compared with the sediment transport values obtained from beach profile measurements. The performance of the model at different locations within the study area with variable wave conditions has been examined. The annual net sediment loss (−) versus accumulation (+) were estimated for two smaller study areas (cells) containing ten regularly spaced beach profiles numbered from north to south, BP1-5 in cell I and BP6-10 in cell II. For the cell I region, which is protected by the Ennore shoals and where human interference is minimum, the annual net sediment supply is +0.02×106 m3 as obtained from beach profile measurements while the model gave a value of +0.014×106 m3. For the cell II region where there is large human intervention by way of Ennore port development and breakwater construction, the annual net sediment movement as obtained by the beach measurements is −0.14×106 m3 while the model gave a value of −0.154×106 m3. It is found that the performance of the model is satisfactory and the model may be used successfully to study sediment dynamics along any coastline provided one has detailed understanding of the coastline orientation, nearshore topography, cross-shore bathymetry and prevailing annual wave climate. Based on the sediment transport data and beach profile measurements the beach and shoreline changes for transect locations BP-1 to BP-10 are also critically examined in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The north Chennai coast, on the east coast of India, experiences severe erosion caused by waves, and an area of the beach about 600 m wide has eroded over the past 120 years. To protect the seafront, natural stones were dumped by government agencies along the coast for a distance of about 6 km, and in the process, a short beach pocket 400 m long was left unprotected for various reasons. Because the property of a chemical factory located in this 400-m stretch of beach pocket suffered damage caused by erosion, and because the need for a wide beachfront was stressed by local fishermen, an alternative method of protecting the beach was suggested. The proposal involved construction of an S-type rubble sea wall about 100 m long on the southern end of the beach pocket. This paper discusses the numerical model studies conducted to determine the configuration of the S-type rubble sea wall and its effectiveness in beach protection. The model studies suggested a length of projection of 14 m with a radius of curvature of 310 m for the S-type sea wall to achieve the desired performance. Field studies conducted on the 40-m-wide and 400-m-long beach pocket with the 100-m-long S-type sea wall indicate that the sea wall is effective in protecting the beach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristic features of inter-seasonal variability of precipitation microphysics for the year 2019 over Mumbai and Chennai – the two urban-coastal cities of Indian sub-continent have been studied in this paper. The importance of choosing the regions lies in the fact that these two cities are well-known for the occurrences of severe rainfall events due to the effect of south-west and north-east monsoon during the summer and winter season of Indian sub-continent respectively. It has been observed that raindrops of diameter 2‐–4 mm dominate the summer rainfall over Chennai with respect to winter rainfall. Correspondingly, while comparing the two cities together, the impact of the south-west and north-east monsoon in conjunction with the interplay of the continental and maritime effect on the microphysics of precipitation over these cities is strongly visible in the analysis. The study reveals that the rainfall evolving from the continental clouds along with contrasting surface temperature produces distinct diurnal variation for the summer (winter) rainfall over Chennai (Mumbai) while such variations are not visible for the maritime clouds. It has been observed that the drops of larger diameter along with higher radar reflectivity dominated the summer rainfall of Chennai with respect to Mumbai. While for the winter rainfall, such distinct variations are visible only for higher rainfall regimes from 16 mm/h and above where the domination of larger drops is visible for the Mumbai rainfall. Thus the difference in surface temperature which in turn escalates the convective environment in the atmosphere can be termed as one of the important factors responsible for this inter-seasonal variability of precipitation microphysics. • Typical characteristics of rainfall and wind direction during inter-seasonal phases • Contrasting features of precipitation microphysics during summer and winter monsoon • Strong impact of continental and maritime clouds on precipitation microphysics • Important role of surface heating for diurnal variation of precipitation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]