Ahmedabad Region Research Articles

Optimization of temperature distribution in building envelopes of Ahmedabad region using nano-encapsulated phase change material

The incorporation of Phase Change Materials (PCM) into the building envelopes helps to increase indoor thermal comfort while lowering energy usage. The selection of PCM is directly related to its performance and might be viewed as an optimization challenge. The manuscript highlights the optimization of temperature distribution in building envelopes (walls and roofs) of Ahmedabad by choosing the suitable PCM and Nano-particle. Three different PCMs (RT31, RT 35, and RT42) and Nano-particles (Al2O3, CuO, and ZnO) with different concentrations (12 %, 16 %, and 20 %) are considered for the optimization. The PCMs are encapsulated into the building layer thickness to examine their characteristics like effective thermal conductivity, concentration, melting point, etc. These parameters are evaluated in a room that measures 5 m x 4 m x 3.5 m (L x W x H). The design-builder software (Version 7.0.2.006) is used to carry out the steady-state numerical simulations for this building envelope. The results suggest that the integration of PCM reduces the building's overall energy consumption by 7.92 kWh/m2 per year. The optimal design is proposed by establishing a temperature difference (ΔT) in building envelopes and utilizing a hybrid optimization technique (a combination of Artificial neural network (ANN) and Genetic algorithm (GA)). This temperature difference of the building envelope is confirmed to be dependent on their PCM melting point, effective thermal conductivity, concentration (in%), and PCM layer thickness. Hybrid optimization is found to be the most stable strategy for predicting temperature dilation and energy storage in building envelopes. Thus this paper gives a systematic understanding of the selection of PCM and Nano-particles and identifies the suitable PCM layer thickness for encapsulation.

Regional accessibility impacts of integrating high-speed railway and conventional rail: spatial analysis of the Mumbai Ahmedabad region, India

ABSTRACT The high-speed rail (HSR) significantly improves the accessibility between cities. However, these benefits are not uniformly distributed in the region that HSR connects. This study hypothesises that integrating the conventional rail network with HSR can improve regional accessibility and reduce HSR-induced inequity in accessibility. The scenario-based analysis was conducted to test the hypothesis on India’s upcoming HSR corridor. The numerical results were obtained using weighted average travel time, potential accessibility, daily accessibility and area coverage as the indicators of accessibility. The introduction of HSR reduces inter-regional travel times by 45% but increases the inequity in accessibility by 19%. HSR’s integration with conventional rail results in a 53% reduction in travel time and only an 8.5% increment in inequity. The HSR-integrated conventional rail’s average speed improvement by 30 km/h improves the daily accessibility by 79% while reducing the HSR-induced spatial inequity by 13%. This study quantifies the accessibility and equity gains of integrating HSR with conventional rail and suggests intermodal cooperation for equitable and sustainable development.

Impact of Lockdown on Column and Surface Aerosol Content over Ahmedabad and a Comparison with the Indo-Gangetic Plain

Changes in vertical column concentration, size distribution, and surface concentration of aerosol associated with the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 over the Ahmedabad region in Gujarat State, India, were analyzed. The results are compared with changes over selected Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) regions. On 25 March 2020, the prime minister of India declared a complete lockdown throughout the country and later lifted restrictions in a phased manner. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) over the Ahmedabad region on 29 March dropped to as low as 0.11, and in the first two weeks of lockdown, the weekly average AOD was only 0.18. On almost all days of the lockdown period, AOD over the Ahmedabad region was lower than the decadal mean. It was found that the Ahmedabad region responded differently to lockdown conditions compared to the IGP regions. During the first lockdown phase, AOD decreased by about 29% compared to the pre-lockdown period over the Ahmedabad region. However, the average reduction over the IGP was much more, about 50%. The average Angstrom exponent (AE) of 0.96 during the pre-lockdown period over the Ahmedabad region increased phase-wise to 1.36 during the L3 lockdown phase, indicating dominance of fine-mode particles during the lockdown period. It suggests a reduction in anthropogenically produced coarse-mode particles, typically dust produced by vehicular movement, construction, and industrial activities. However, on the other hand, over the IGP region, the high dominance of fine-mode particles during the pre-lockdown period had changed to a high dominance of coarse-mode particles, especially over the Delhi region. This indicates a reduction in anthropogenically produced fine-mode particles, which are mainly generated by fossil and biofuels/biomass combustion, over the IGP region by lockdown conditions. Within a few days of lockdown, PM2.5 was reduced by 64% and 76% over the Ahmedabad and Delhi regions, respectively. The lockdown imposed by the pandemic provided an excellent opportunity to ascertain background aerosol conditions in the atmosphere.

A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ROUTINE CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION AT THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS OF AHMEDABAD CITY.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused signicant disruptions in the delivery of essential primary health care services including routine immunization services in various countries including India. This temporary interference can lead to soaring of vaccine preventable illnesses. The recent outbreak of Measles worldwide in the last 12 months depicts a clear picture for a secondary health crisis. So, this study brings forth the impact of pandemic on the routine childhood immunizations in primary health care sectors of Ahmedabad, India and developing appropriate strategies to ensure continuity of services. A retrospective observational study wasMethods: carried out at the Urban primary health centers distributed across the seven zones/wards of Ahmedabad region and data of children (under 5 years) registered and vaccinated as per universal immunization Programme schedule were retrieved for a period of four years and divided into two comparison groups as pre covid sessions (1st January 2018 till 31st December 2019) and post covid sessions (1st January 2020 till 31st December 2021). The vaccination trends were compared for these two periods and analyzed. Routine childhood immunizationResults: coverage (among 0 to 5 years old children group) following the pandemic depicted a declining trend with a major set-back recorded in pentavalent and MR vaccination coverage (fall of 40%). Full immunization coverage falls short by 30% (95%+ 2.4% versus 66%+ 3.1%) and it was signicant with p<0.05 and chi square value of 27.7. Barriers to effective routine immunizations have also been enumerated with pandemic related anxiety and difculty in community mobilizations being most common. It is quite evident that the Covid-19 pandemic hasConclusions: been a major backslider for the routine childhood immunizations in India which needs immediate redressal to prevent the outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases in future.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation in patients with Cardiometabolic disorders- A Clinical Study in Ahmedabad population

Vitamin D deficiency and cardiometabolic disorders are very much widespread in worldwide, India and Ahmedabad region of Gujarat. It was the first study conducted among Gujarati ethnic group of Ahmedabad region, India. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiometabolic disorders with vitamin D deficiency. The study was performed as an open labeled, randomized, parallel-group, single centric and prospective design at Tej Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The dosage regimen of vitamin D supplementation was 60,000 IU/ week for 4 weeks and then 60,000IU once a month for 12 months. Our results showed that vitamin D supplementation causes significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at 6 and 12 months as well as significant decrease in triglycerides (TG),very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), fasting blood glucose (FBG), post prandial blood glucose (PPBG) and glycosylated haemoglobin ( HbA1c) with significant increase in 25(OH)D level in vitamin D group at 12 months as compared with non-vitamin D group .Our findings supported that vitamin D deficiency may be a potential risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders and the dosage regimen of vitamin D supplementation is enough to achieve sufficiency and maintain 25(OH)D level which ultimately causes improvement in cardiometabolic disorders.

WLEIS as a Measure of Emotional Intelligence of Healthcare Professionals: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Emotional intelligence has been extensively studied in healthcare practices worldwide. It is requisite for a reliable and valid instrument to measure the emotional intelligence of healthcare professionals in India. The Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) has been a widely used tool to measure trait emotional intelligence. This study examines the validity of this scale in the healthcare context. The original 16 items WLEIS scale has been administered to 98 doctors of the Ahmedabad region of Gujarat. Two competing models, single factor and four factors have been tested against each other. Fit indices of four-factor model ( χ2 (98) = 111.61, ( p > 0.001), CMIN/df = 1.139, CFI = 0.987, SRMR = 0.059, RMSEA = 0.038 and PClose = 0.714) has excellent goodness of fit. Results of confirmatory factor analysis support the original four-factor model. The model also has acceptable reliability, convergent and discriminant validity. Further, in order to establish EI construct underneath four factors, secondary factor analysis has been performed. Standardized regression weight of only one dimension, that is, ‘Regulation of emotion’ is acceptable. All fit indices of the second-order model have an excellent fit. WLEIS is a valid instrument to measure the emotional intelligence of health professionals.

Determination of Age from Shoulder Joint by Radiological Examination of Epiphyseal Union of Proximal End of Humerus in Boys from Ahmedabad Region

In law, crime and punishment is entirely based on criminal responsibility and this in turn depends on theage of a person. It is well known that appearance and fusion of epiphysis of long bone occurs at particularperiod of time and this in turns help in age estimation. As there is variation in appearance and fusion time ofepiphysis, aim of the present study is to determine Epiphyseal union of proximal end of humerus in boys inAhmedabad region. Present study was conducted by department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, B.J.Medical College Ahmedabad. Total 100 boys of age group between 14-20 years were included in the studyand were subjected for radiological examination. To study the appearance and fusion of ossification centreof upper end of humerus digital X-ray with AP view was taken. Result was tabulated and statistical analysisof result was done comparing with previous studies.

Retention Factors Analysis: A Comparative Study of Textile Industries in Ahmedabad Region

Retention Factors Analysis: A Comparative Study of Textile Industries in Ahmedabad Region

Characterization of amplitude scintillation and distribution of positioning error for IRNSS/GPS/SBAS receiver

Indian regional navigation satellite system (IRNSS) or Navigation with Indian Constellation (NaVIC) is the satellite-based navigation system, established and controlled by the Indian Space Research Organization. It provides services of positioning, velocity, and timing for civilian and military applications. Ionospheric irregularities cause the fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the received navigation signals; this phenomenon is known as scintillation. Scintillation can create the error in precise positioning and degrades the position accuracy of the navigation system. It varies with solar activity, geographical location, seasonal variation, day–night time, and elevation angle of satellites. The S4 index is one of the key parameters to estimate the amplitude scintillation to recognize the quality of the navigation signal. In this paper, amplitude scintillation characteristics are studied with IRNSS/GPS/SBAS in the Ahmedabad region which is at the average altitude of 53 m. S4 index is calculated and analyzed using the real-time navigation data of one week. Here, IRNSS/GPS/SBAS receiver with L1, L5, and S-band, is used to collect the data at low altitude station (IITRAM, Ahmedabad). The position error of normal sunny days is calculated using IRNSS/GPS/SBAS receiver. The probability of position error is also derived and found that it follows the gamma distribution function and validate it statistically using a chi-square test. This study also focuses on the effect of elevation of the satellite on the value of carrier to noise ratio at the location of IITRAM.

STUDY OF VARIOUS DETERMINANTS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON FINANCIAL LITERACY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY IN THE CITY OF AHMEDABAD

Financial Literacy has become a priority area across the world in recent years. In a complex and globalized marketplace, a myriad of products is offered in the financial market, and the accessibility of products has also increased. This has made it imperative for individuals to be well equipped with the necessary financial knowledge and awareness to use their financial resources in an optimum way. The study examines the financial literacy of the people by using a questionnaire developed by self-validated scales of determinants of financial literacy. The major findings of the data interpretation and analysis reveals that there are major six determinants that has very strong influence on level of financial literacy. The present study offers the first ever comprehensive insight into the financial literacy of the Ahmedabad region

COVID-19 and its impact on environment: Improved pollution levels during the lockdown period – A case from Ahmedabad, India

The novel Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) hit the world severely in the first half of 2020 which forced several nations to impose severe restrictions on all sorts of activities involving human population. People were mainly advised to remain home quarantined to curb the virus spread. Industrial and vehicular movements were ceased as a result of lockdown, and therefore the rate of pollutants entering the ecosystem was also reduced in many places. Water and air pollution remained a major concern in the last few decades as these were gradually deteriorating in many spheres including the hydrosphere and atmosphere. As the nation-wide lockdown period in India completed more than two months, this study attempted to analyze the impact of lockdown on water and air quality to understand the short-term environmental changes. Using remote sensing data, this study demonstrated the improvements in ambient water quality in terms of decreased turbidity levels for a section of the Sabarmati River in the Ahmedabad region of India. The Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) concentrations are evaluated to underline the turbidity levels in the study area before and during the lockdown period using the Landsat 8 OLI images. We noticed that the average SPM has significantly decreased by about 36.48% when compared with the pre-lockdown period; and a drop of 16.79% was observed from the previous year's average SPM. Overall, the average SPM concentration during the lockdown period (8.08 mg/l), was the lowest when compared with pre-lockdown average and long-term (2015–2019) April month average. The atmospheric pollution level (NO2, PM2.5, and PM10) data obtained from the Central Pollution Control Board for Ahmedabad city also shows a significant improvement during the study period, implying a positive response of COVID-19 imposed lockdown on the environmental fronts.

Employee Retention: A Study of Indian Insurance Industry

The aim of this paper is to understand the need of employee retention in insurance industry in India. Employee retention has ever been termed as complex phenomenon and always intrigued HR managers. General Insurance industry in India is sunrise industry. Post-liberalization, the insurance industry in India has recorded significant growth which could not have been possible without efforts of human resources involved in it. The factors which make employees to stay in organization are known as retention factors. An attempt has been made to study the influencing factors like effect of compensation & rewards, Job security, working environment & work life balance, on the employees of insurance companies which they feel are more relevant & realistic to stay in the organization. A study of employees working in various general insurance companies in Ahmedabad region has been carried out to measure the influence of retention factors on employees’ retention. The data collected is analyzed using correlation analysis, hypothesis testing & multiple regression.

Consumer Perception towards Big Basket in Ahmedabad Region

Consumer Perception towards Big Basket in Ahmedabad Region

Seroprevalence of dengue infection in clinically suspected cases of dengue at tertiary care hospital in Gujarat

Objective: Dengue virus is the most common arbo virus found in India. Our study has conducted to study the epidemiological and demographic characteristic of dengue fever during the year 2017 in Ahmedabad region of Gujarat state India. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed at the Department of Microbiology, Dr. M.K.Shah Medical College and research centre and smt. S.M.S. multispeciality hospital Ahmedabad, Gujarat from July 2017 to October 2017. A total of 611 blood samples were collected during the study period and serologically tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by capture ELISA testing. Patient with clinically suspected dengue and found positive for dengue NS1 antigen and/or dengue IgM Ab was considered as a case. The data was entered in software and analyzed. Results: We have tested 611 serum samples for dengue infection during the study period in our hospital. Out of which 104(17%) serum samples were positive for dengue infection. 77 serum samples were positive for Dengue NS1 antigen ELISA and 27 serum samples are positive for Dengue IgM ELISA. Majority of samples were tested positive in age group 14-25 year (64.5%) and 26-60 year (32.7%). It shows prevalence of dengue infection is more in male (82.7%) than female (17.3%). Conclusion: Rapid urbanization in developing countries increases prevalence of dengue. Virus activity is high during monsoon and post monsoon period which co-insides with increase vector breeding. Effective implementation of vector control measures through efforts toward vector breeding source reduction help in reduction of the dengue prevalence in community. Keywords: Dengue, NS1 antigen, IgM antibody, Seroprevalence.

Age estimation from radiological examination of epiphyseal union of upper end of humerus in girls from Ahmedabad region

Age estimation from radiological examination of epiphyseal union of upper end of humerus in girls from Ahmedabad region

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent and Young Girls in Ahmedabad Region

Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Associated Risk Factors among Adolescent and Young Girls in Ahmedabad Region

Impact of sales promotions on high involvement products purchase: A study conducted in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar region of Gujarat

Sales promotion targeted to high involvement products often require different strategies as the customer devotes much time and substantial risk is involved. Marketers, hence try to engage customers by sales promotions strategies which have long term impact and are credible to customers. This study focuses on measuring impact of sales promotions on high involvement products with measurement of impact being high, moderate and low. The high involvement products under considerations are mobiles and wrist watches. This study covers target respondents as individuals who are employees or businessmen living in Gandhi nagar and Ahmadabad region of Gujarat state. This study by application of Factor Analysis tries to identify vital few factors that customers focus while responding to sales promotions. This study tries to understand impact of sales promotions on creating price sensitivity among customers in perspective of high involvement products. This study focuses on knowing the impact of sales promotions on brand switching in the context of high involvement products. As types of sales promotions incorporated by marketers to promote high involvement products, this study takes into account % off on a particular product, easy EMI options, credit card offers, after sales service options and bundled promotions.

Investigation of Different Window and Wall Materials for Solar Passive Building Design

The energy consumption associated with the cooling of the buildings is huge. In India buildings consume about 33% of country's power production for cooling and day lighting. The building enclosures such as walls, roofs and glasses play very vital role in reducing cooling loads in the buildings. The proper combination of window glass materials and wall materials can cut down the cooling costs extensively. In the present work, five different glass materials such as clear, bronze, grey, green and blue-green glass materials were selected and four different building materials such as burnt brick, cinder concrete, dense concrete and fly ash brick either side plastered with cement plaster were selected. Total twenty building models with various combinations of window glass and wall materials were designed in licensed Design builder 4.3.0.039 version and thermal analysis was carried out in Energy plus 8.1 software package. Thermal performance of various building models in four different climatic zones such as hot and dry, temperate, warm and humid and composite were investigated. From the results of the study, it is observed that fly ash brick wall building model with grey window glass is found to be energy efficient in all Indian climatic zones from the reduced cooling load point of view among all studied combinations in East, West, North and South orientations. From the results it is observed that the fly ash brick buildings with grey glass window is observed to be the most energy efficient combination for reducing cooling loads as they gain the least heat gain in south orientation (21.51 kWh) for Ahmedabad region. The results of the study help in designing energy efficient passive buildings.

To Study the Perception of Rebranding in the Banking Sector (With Special Reference to Ahmedabad Region)

In last five years, trend of rebranding is emerging in our Indian banking industry. In this report, we will see the impact of rebranding in the Indian banking sector. It explains the reasons, issues and traps of rebranding in four banks - Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, UTI Bank, Union Bank. The main objectives of this research paper are as follows: • To determine the reasons for need of rebranding of banks • To determine the perception of rebranding on the customers'&employees' towards the same bank. A sample size of 200 was selected, which was bifurcated into 100 bank employees and 100 bank customers. In all 100 employees (25 each from 4 banks) and 100 customers (25 each from 4 banks) were surveyed with the help of close ended questionnaires. The method used to select samples was convenience sampling. From the analysis of the response, it can be concluded that there is negative impact of high cost of rebranding and increase in work pressure on employees. But there is positive impact of rebranding like increase in sales and footfalls in banks as well as attracting young generation.

White Spaces in Building Innovation Clusters

Clusters are groups of firms, related actors, and institutions that are located near one another and that draw productive advantage from their mutual proximity and connections. Clusters arise and grow because the firms within them profit materially from the presence of powerful “externalities” and “spillovers” that bring them important competitive advantages, ranging from the presence of a specialized workforce to supplier specialization and the exchange of leading edge knowledge. Today, the US economic maps show scores of local agglomerations: biotech in Boston, information technology in Silicon Valley, entertainment in Hollywood, horse trailer manufacturing in north Texas, marine technologies in eastern North Carolina and wine in southern Washington. Clusters are prominent in Europe too. On average, every fourth company (employing at least 20 persons) in the European Union (24%) work in a cluster-like environment characterized by close cooperation with other local businesses and strong ties to local business infrastructure. Based on US and European success a new movement started all across the globe to promote regional innovation clusters. The paradox is that while all agree that no where governments succeeded in creating an innovation cluster out of nothings, all nations are working to promote clusters and to make them more innovative. The search is for identifying a cluster that already exist but not passed the market test as hot spot though potential exists. Some factors are considered more important than others to determine the potential, like University linkages, Social Capital of cluster, Access to heterogeneous knowledge, Intervention by public authorities. In India, Innovation Cluster project was initiated at three places, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and NCR region and in this paper we present our learning on managing white spaces to make a cluster innovative.