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India's increased pace of urbanisation is evident, but the question remains as to whether India can harness its developmental potential by providing social infrastructure to meet its projected growth. This paper investigates the urbanisation trajectory with respect to the provision of social infrastructure in the Capital Region of India. First, it applies the differential urbanisation model and predicts counter‐urbanisation to be the next stage of development. Second, using socio‐economic indicators, the paper finds high literacy rates and non‐agricultural employment in small towns. Third, it explains deconcentration of large cities as an outcome of congested social infrastructure provision. Fourth, it determines that small towns continue to have poor provision of social infrastructure. This paper recommends the integration of spatial planning with social infrastructure planning, the empowerment of lower‐tier authorities for social infrastructure delivery, and measures for raising local government revenue in the region and in similar regions throughout the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and covalent immobilization of α-amylase for starch hydrolysis was investigated. Surface morphology, chemical composition, and structural characteristics of the MNPs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectrometry, and X-ray diffractometry, respectively. Surface functional groups of MNPs, chitosan-coated MNPs, and α-amylase-immobilized MNPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Response surface methodology based on three levels was implemented to optimize three immobilization conditions and a regression model was developed. α-Amylase-immobilized MNPs provided better stability towards pH and temperature. The prepared thermostable nanobiocatalyst is well-suited for industrial processes involving starch hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]