Chennai Research Articles

Effective Promotional Strategies Adopted by Various Jewellery Stores in Chennai City

Effective Promotional Strategies Adopted by Various Jewellery Stores in Chennai City

Evaluation of water quality for drinking purpose from various zones of southern part of tamilnadu, chennai, india

The objective of this study was to assess the drinking water quality from North, Central, South, and West regions of Chennai. The samples for analysis included metro water, ground water, Reverse Osmosis water, packaged drinking water, mineral water, boiled water, and rainwater. Analysis of sixteen physicochemical parameters such as pH, turbidity, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids, Total suspended solids, major cations like calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+) and anions like chloride (Cl-), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO3-) and sulphate (SO42-) and heavy metals such as Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn2+), magnesium (Mg), and Iron (Fe) are all measured using American Public Health Association (APHA)standard methods of analysis. The results were compared with standard values established by agencies such as World Health Organization (WHO), the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and National Drinking Water Quality Standard (NDWQS). The Water Quality Index ranged from 11.66 to 147.11. The results indicate that about 52.9% of the water samples investigated in this study is excellent. Keywords: Drinking water, Chennai city, Physico-chemical parameters, Water quality index (WQI).

Health Hazard

Health of every living being is dependent on level of pollutant in the environment, weather condition, etc, which are interrelated and influencing each other. Presence of pollution particles in high percentage such as particulate matter of size 10 and 2.5 (PM10, PM25) microns in creates higher risk in lung functionality, respiratory disease and reduces cardio functionality; also affects the quality of water sources. Rainfall, technically known as precipitation, occur at non season also create health hazards, seasonal diseases. In our previous work, the relationship between precipitation and pollution were analysed; it is observed that pollution attribute particulate matter, PM2.5, influences precipitation. Pollution data as well as numerical weather data are time series data in nature. This research work analyses the time series data (day wise observations) of pollution and weather, recorded at Chennai city at the year 2017. ARIMA model is constructed after applying required transformations on underlying data. Trend and seasonality found in underlying time series data set are unique since time series components are data-dependent and autocorrelated with previous day observations. Improved forecasting of PM2.5 and precipitation are obtained through ARIMA modelling.

Risk factors of tuberculosis (TB) among homeless population in Chennai city

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major concern among high-risk populations such as the homeless. Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem. The Chennai City has a large population of homeless persons and caregivers and is estimated to be the largest TB-endemic area in the intermediate-prevalence country, India. However, there have been few studies of homeless persons and caregivers. The objective of this study to assess the prevalence and risk factors for pulmonary TB among homeless population around Chennai. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study for screening TB symptoms using questionnaire. The study participants were recruited from 15 zones, which included 47-night shelters around Chennai under the control of the Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. Data was collected from homeless people who were living in night shelters in the northern, central, and southern regions of Chennai City. Results: Complete responses were available from 484 individuals (263 homeless persons and 173 caregivers). Four active TB cases (1.5%) among homeless persons were found, while there were no cases among caregivers.

DETECTION OF FOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS IN CHICKEN MEAT SOLD IN RETAIL OUTLETS OF CHENNAI CITY

Contaminated poultry meat is regarded as a major source of food-borne pathogens, so the present study was under taken to screen the raw broiler chicken breast meat samples for the presence of food-borne pathogens viz. Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and Staphylococcus aureus collected from different retail outlets in Chennai city, India. The presence of Salmonella spp., C. jejuni and S. aureus was assessed by cultural method and species-specific PCR assay. The polymerase chain reaction was carried out by targeting the invA, flaA and nuc gene for Salmonella spp., C. jejuni and S. aureus respectively. Out of 60 samples, the frequency of isolation of S. aureus and C. jejuni was 16.6 and 11.6% respectively by both the methods. However, in case of Salmonella spp. the isolation rate was noted to be 10% and 15% by cultural method and PCR assay respectively. The PCR assay was found to be more specific for identification of Salmonella spp. Cultural method combined with PCR assay would provide a holistic approach in terms of sensitivity and specificity with regards to identification of these food-borne pathogens. The above findings also indicate the need of creating awareness among general public and butchers operating retail meat shop regarding good hygienic practice before, after cooking and during processing of carcass. Identifying the source of these organisms at the farm level will also help to control the entry of these organisms in food.

How Seafood Wholesale Markets Matter for Urban Food Security: Evidence from Chennai, India.

Urban sites gather poverty in particular locations and often require bulk food system approaches for addressing prevalent food security and nutrition needs. The food systems that service them are, however, characterized by perishability and large irregularities in supply. Seafood is currently recognized as contributing in a major way to food security and nutrition, and it is to assessing the role of wholesale markets in meeting the needs of the urban poor that this paper is directed. It zooms in on the city of Chennai, India, where an estimated 40% of the population is considered poor and marine fish plays a crucial role in diets. Building on one-and-a-half years of field research in the pre-COVID-19 period, the paper analyses the performance of one of the city’s largest fish wholesale markets, Vanagaram, in relation to the four commonly recognized pillars of food security. Results demonstrate how urban food systems function as major suppliers of fish (and other food items) to thousands of low- and middle-income households. Most importantly, this case study demonstrates the crucial role that is played by wholesale markets in merging low-price fish supplies from different geographic regions and thereby ensuring food security of poorer inhabitants.

Prevalence of Smoking Among Transgender Population Residing In Urban Chennai- A Cross Sectional Survey

In general, there is a lack of research on the transgender population and tobacco use. Findings from previous studies are in conflict regarding the use of tobacco products among transgender populations. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of current tobacco use among transgender population in and around Chennai city. A cross sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of smoking among transgender. A direct interview was conducted using questionnaire related to smoking and transgender type. Descriptive statistics was used to give the prevalence, socio demographic variables and chi square test was used to compare the smoking habit with socio demographic data. The prevalence of smoking among transgender was forty percentage. While comparing age group and smoking habit or type of transgender(male to female and female to male) and smoking there was no significant association observed(p value>0.05). Around 60% of them had the habit of Alcohol intake. While comparing education and occupation with smoking behavior, there was a strong significant association (p value 0.006, 0.002) found in this study. Cigarette was the most common type of tobacco used by these populations. Tobacco in the form of cigarette was common among Transgender population. Future research is needed with an increased sample size to assess the quantity of cigarette intake. The data from this study can be used as a preliminary report to inform best and promising practices for tobacco control and prevention for the transgender population.

RISK PROFILING OF SECONDARY EQUITY INVESTORS FROM THE CHENNAI CITY OF INDIA BASED ON THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY MODEL

The risk taken by the investor depends on several independent variables like: personality, biological age, investment experience and income. The main aim of this article is to combine all these variables in order to build an exhaustive risk profile on the basis of the Big Five Personality dimensions. The research method applied is exploratory in nature and questionnaire survey method was employed to gather data from 436 secondary equity market investors residing in the Chennai city of India. ANOVA was employed to develop the risk profile. The outcome of the research was an exhaustive risk profile combining all the related variables and a regression model predicting the equity returns. The main conclusions of the study are that the investors with the more of the conscientiousness personality tend to take less risk. This finding was also consistent among the senior investors, high income investors and those with mediocre/ high investment experience. The study also concluded that the agreeable investors with high income/high investment experience, tend to take less risk. Only the young investors with more of the conscientiousness personality tend to take more risk and with more of the extraversion personality tend to take less risk. This study serves as a guidance for advisors to provide appropriate recommendations on the basis of the risk appetite and personality of the investors.

Quick Predictions of Onset Times and Rain Amounts from Monsoon Showers over Urban Built Environments

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 m3s−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.

Comparative analysis of molecular and conventional methods for bacteriological water quality assessment in drinking water resources around Chennai

Abstract Coliforms and Escherichia coli represent the fecal contamination in drinking water and hence its potability. The present study estimates uidA and lacZ genes as distinctive biomarkers for rapid and efficient detection of contaminated water resources. In total, 39 environmental water samples were collected in and around the metropolitan city of Chennai, India. The results were compared with culture-based method using selective medium. The study shows that the performance and amplification efficiency of uidA and lacZ are 99.6% and 103.4% respectively. The sensitivity of the qPCR method in selectively identifying E. coli was 71.4% in a total of 92.3% coliform contamination. The conventional method showed that 10 samples were positive for E. coli and 12 samples positive for coliforms from a total of 39 samples. A lower positive predictive value of the biomarkers observed is due to the insignificant association between the two methods and is determined to be 59.0% and 66.6% for E. coli and coliforms respectively. The study reports 50 and 70% of the overhead tank (OHT) samples were contaminated with E. coli and coliform respectively, which indicates sanitation measures through these water supplies are not adequately taken care of. High throughput molecular detection technique is reported here, which can be used for monitoring environmental samples more quickly.

COVID-19 NATIONWIDE LOCKDOWN OF 2020- OBSERVATIONS ON PROMINENT POLLUTANT IN THE COASTAL CITIES OF CHENNAI AND MUMBAI

The pan-India Lockdown of 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in impacting the environment and generating new trends lends it to specific analysis. In this context, the urban scenarios are most widely discussed and the Indian metropolitan cities stand pertinent examination. While many studies exist on analyzing air quality and air quality parameters in distribution and varying trends, works on highlighting the nature of dominant pollutant in time and space is not observed. The current study is distinctive in method as it tends to observe the evolving nature and distribution of primary pollutant in the air of two coastal cities of Chennai and Mumbai for every day of the COVID-19 nationwide Lockdown period of 2020. A comparative analysis is further attempted by taking air quality data for the period of national Lockdown in the matrix of 92*7 plus 92*4 time periods for Mumbai and Chennai respectively. Results reveal that despite being coastal in location, both cities have a distinct nature and distribution of Prominent Pollutant during this period. An examination of such a kind is pertinent in outlining the nature of pollution and its geographical dimensions across an urban area. This can help in the observation and management of pollution problem in a practical dimension.

Smart city place-based outcomes in India: bubble urbanism and socio-spatial fragmentation

ABSTRACT Despite the bourgeoning of smart city initiatives across the Global South, their implementation and place-based outcomes remain understudied. This paper presents empirical studies in three Indian cities of Bhubaneswar, Pune and Chennai; three of the first 20 smart cities prioritized for implementation in the Smart Cities Mission. It investigates the place-based outcomes utilized to create smart cities under three categories of mega-, placemaking, and lighthouse projects. The results show varying levels of urban interventions contributing to ‘bubble urbanism’ – a fragmented combination of large-scale mega-projects and small-scale revitalization projects – with complex socio-spatial implications for smart city development in India.

A Study on Investor’s Preference towards Stock Market - Special Reference to Chennai City IT Employees

Stock markets functioning important role in developing countries. It is functioning as intermediate between the investors and the corporates. Investors have differing needs, and for each investor failure to meet those needs poses a risk. Falling short of the nest eggs or amount required for a particular goal is one of the major risks but also returns, failing which he or she could face the risk of outlive his or her investments. The trade-off between risk and returns is the most absorbing and challenging job for most investors. Investor’s perspective there are various investment options are available even though stock market is one of the most preferred investment destinations for maximum of the investors because high return as well as high risk as the concept in financial management. The purpose of the study is to identify and evaluate the investor to make right investment decision. The methodology perspective samples have been used purposive sampling techniques and the target audience are IT employees in Chennai. The primary data have been collected through structured questionnaire & secondary data through research papers, journals. The dependent and independent variables used for the study are stock market investor’s expectation, objectives, risk perception, influencing factor, preference which influences the decision. The findings of the study identified that financial constituents have direct relationship which influences the stock market investors. The result of the study gives an understanding in a better perspective to how and what are the factors influence an investment drive to be a sustainable decision.

Factors impinge on the development of a smart city: a field study.

Smart city aims at amassed connectivity at various levels in the midst of citizens, as well as amid the administration and the daily growing population. India is one of the developing countries where population growth is one of the significant areas to be noted seriously. A city is a large and permanent human environment that provides its citizens with many services and opportunities. The rapid economic growth and population growth have put a huge amount of strain on urban infrastructure and service provision. India is an under developing nation to modernize urban life; the current urbanization needs good tactics and creative planning. India's government has launched 100 smart cities where it is expected that citizens will use new innovations and resolve the issues. Smart cities are intended for finest usage of space and resources along with an effectual and optimum dissemination of benefits. This study aims to investigate and analyse Chennai smart city mission (SCM) development. This work has been undertaken to learn about the aspects of smart development and the factors governing smart city. The analysis has been split up into 4 portions as questionaries' survey in Chennai city, frequency and percentage analysis, descriptive analysis and using structural equation modelling (SCM). Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0, conversational interviewing and questionnaire survey and also journal study are conducted to find factors influencing the implementation of smart cityand reviewed. Using the structural equation model (SEM) AMOS 21.0 software, confirmatory factor assessment had been done. This study gives in-depth knowledge in the implementation of the smart city scheme aspects and also suggests solution for the most affecting factor in a city.

Exploring the spatial and inter-temporal spill-over effects of Air Pollution in Chennai City- A Study

The impact of industrialization is manifold causing more employment, increased export, GDP growth but causing deterioration in the environment situation Air pollution, odourless air, smelly air which harms health, destroys plants and damages property. The effect of pollutants like SO2 is primarily by industrialisation and increasing growth of population. CO2 is also a key pollutant in the atmosphere and the sources of CO2 are fossil fuel burning and deforestation. CO2 is a good transmitter of sunlight but partially restricts infrared radiation going back from the earth into space. Particulates are tiny particles of solid or liquid matter present in the atmosphere and they are very helpful for the operations in the atmosphere like the formation of clouds and fog, absorbing gases in the atmosphere and creating reactions by being catalysts and the decomposition of ozone is possible only by dust, maintain the radiation balance and heat balance of the earth, and helps in the absorption capacity of the gases. The consequences of Air Pollution are severe on the environment, ecological impact, groundwater, soil, air, living organisms, acid rain, global warming, the greenhouse effect, climate changes etc. Ozone affects the upper layers of the skin, the tear ducts, lungs, biochemical, morphologic, functional, and immunological disorders (Lippmann, 1989). They are an important risk factor for lung cancer. Air pollution is also harmful to the environment and causes severe and permanent issues to a country. Considering the impact of Air Pollution, the Government of India has amended the AIR (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 vide G.O.Ms.3, DT.03.09.1983. This article is exploring the spatial and intertemporal spill-over effects of Air Pollution in Chennai City

Twinning rates in Chennai, India - A cross-sectional study.

Context:The city of Chennai is one of the largest metropolitan cities in India where apart from a large traditional population, there has been a continuous migration from rural areas and growing sophistication in lifestyle. Twinning rates trend in the present world would be interesting to study.Aims:The aim of the present study was to analyse the twinning rate in the city of Chennai, the distribution amongst various city zones and the present trends in the co-relation between the maternal age of the twins with the zygosity.Settings and Design:A population-based study was conducted on twin births in various corporation Zones in the Chennai Metropolitan, between 2010 and 2012. As per the Chennai corporation and Health Department register, there were a total of 2,32,884 births registered in the city of which 4,500 were twin births over the 3 years. Only 1371 pairs were found residing in Chennai at the time of study, and hence, a study was conducted on this population only.Satistical Analysis Used:The data were analysed with Epiinfo software.Results:A twining rate of 19.3 per 1000 births was observed as per Corporation records. In the present study, the sample of 150 pairs, 34 pairs (22.6%) comprised of monozygotic (MZ) twins and 116 pairs (77.3%) comprised of dizygotic twins giving a ratio of 1:3. The maternal age groups 25–30 and 30–35 years comprised of the maximum twinning rates. Most twin births were of the first order. An analysis of Weinberg’s Differential Rule method to determine zygosity showed a significant difference compared to the Questionnaire method.Conclusions:The twinning rate observed in Chennai in the present study is interestingly very high, compared to the overall twinning rate reported in the past in the state of Tamilnadu. The Wienberg’s Differential method for zygosity determination is again found to be questionable. The zygosity proportion, maternal age and parity relations are not very different from previously available data.

A cross-sectional study on the role of film stars and peers in smoking initiation and tobacco use among male adolescents aged 13–15 years in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Exposure to tobacco at a young age leads to a subsequent smoking habit in large proportions of the population in adulthood. Social and mass media have both positive and negative effects on adolescents’ behavior and social skills and therefore play vital roles in driving this behavior. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of film stars on smoking initiation and tobacco use among male adolescents aged 13–15 years in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design. In total, 200 students from schools that serve low-income households participated in the study. All the students completed a 20-item questionnaire on the perceived severity of smoking, perceived barriers to quitting, and factors affecting quitting. Results: None of the participants had a history of smoking. One (0.5%) participant stated that he smoked daily. All the participants agreed that exposure to media images of smoking behavior among their favorite film stars would not encourage them to smoke. In terms of peer pressure, one (0.5%) participant stated that he would accept a cigarette if offered one by a friend. Only descriptive information of the collected data was tabulated as the aim of the study was to collect the baseline data and not to test any prespecified hypothesis. Conclusion: In our study, peer pressure seemed to play more influence on the smoking initiation by adolescents than the film stars on mass media. Though all of them agreed that they would not be provoked by media images of film stars smoking, one participant was likely to initiate the habit on being offered by his friend. Hence, the evidence suggests the need for reorientation of research modalities to better identify early initiators of smoking.

Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Management of Needle Stick Injuries at a Private Teaching Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai City - A Cross Sectional Study

Background Needle stick injury NSI is a penetrating stab wound from a needle or any other sharp object that may result in blood-borne infections such as AIDS Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Exposure to contaminated needles may expose the recipient to blood that contains pathogens which pose a potential risk. Dental specialty involves the use of various small and very sharp instruments that are quite different from those used in medical care.Aim To assess the prevalence knowledge attitude and practice regarding the management of NSI among dental students.Material and methods The study used a questionnaire composed of 24 questions. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 251 dental students. 211 students were included in the study 50 interns 76 third year and 85 final year students. The questionnaire contained four parts Prevalence - to assess exposure to NSI Knowledge - to measure dental studentsrsquo understanding about NSI Attitude and Practice. A pretested selfadministered questionnaire was handed over to the students during their break time and was collected after half an hour.Results A response rate of 84 was recorded. The prevalence of NSIs in the present study was 18 which was significant p lt0.005. Regarding the diseases that spread through body fluids majority of the participants in all the three years acknowledged that HIV Hepatitis B Hepatitis C 73 70.9 55.1 respectively spread through body fluids which was not statistically significant. More than half of the third-year students n42 56.8 had not taken the Hepatitis B vaccination at the start of the course whereas more than 34th of the final year students n72 85.7 and interns n 43 86 were vaccinated which was statistically significant p lt0.001. Majority of the students included in the study were not taught about post exposure prophylaxis technique as a part of their curriculum.Conclusion Overall knowledge of dental students regarding NSI improved with seniority. Additional training programme regarding the management of sharp injuries for dental students is needed and staff should teach students regarding the reporting guidelines. It is important to train dental students about preventing life threatening diseases to ensure safe and successful clinical practice.

Processed Foods In Lieu Of Fruits and Vegetables - A South Indian Perspective

Fruits and vegetables play a significant role in the South Indian diet. Some of the fruits and vegetables are considered to relate to the culture and tradition of South India, especially Tamilnadu. In India, Tamilnadu plays a major role in fruit production such as bananas, guavas, and mangoes. It also secures a significant place in vegetable production and export to the nearby states of India. But in the context of changing the diet and food habits of south India, they prefer and consume agro-processed food products for various reasons. This research has been a study of the consumers who are going to prefer processed foods over fresh fruits and vegetables in South India. The survey has been conducted among the consumers of supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery shops, and online shops from the cities of Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli. The researcher has classified the food products on the basis of the NOVA classification of foods. It derives from the factors influencing consumers to prefer processed food products. Finally, the age and gender of the respondents have some relationship with making the decision to use processed foods.

Impact of Yoga on Specific Risk Factors in Middle-Aged Women with Hypertension

This randomised controlled trial set intended to examine the results of yoga practises on Systolic BP and Total Cholesterol in hypertensive middle-aged women. Thirty middle-aged hypertensive women from the city of Chennai were recruited at random using a random group sample approach and were divided into two groups of 15 patients each (Experimental group and Control group). The hypothesis was that middle-aged hypertensive women's Systolic Blood Pressure and Total Cholesterol would differ significantly from those of the Control group as a result of their yoga practises. Prior to the start of training, a preliminary test was performed on a chosen dependent variable. The yoga practises of the experimental group lasted for 12 weeks, with each session lasting no more than an hour each morning. The control group was required to maintain a state of mild activity. After the training period ended, both groups were given a post test measuring the same dependent variables, including systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol. Analysis of Co-Variance (ANCOVA) was used to statistically compare the data from= each group. A 5% level of significance was chosen for the test. The study found that the Experimental group's yoga practises led to statistically significant improvements in comparison to the Control group in terms of some variables including Systolic Blood Pressure and Total Cholesterol. Therefore, the hypothesis was accepted with a 0.05 level of confidence. Therefore, it can be inferred that yoga activities help middle-aged hypertensive women keep their Systolic Blood Pressure in check and their Total Cholesterol levels low