Guwahati City Research Articles

Air Pollution in Indian Cities and Comparison of MLR, ANN and CART Models for Predicting PM10 Concentrations in Guwahati, India

Indian cities are increasingly becoming susceptible to PM10 induced health hazards, thereby creating concern for the country’s policymakers. Air pollution is engulfing the comparatively smaller cities as the rapid pace of urbanization, and economic development seem not to lose steam. A review of air pollution of 28 cities of India, which includes tier-I, II, and III cities of India, found to have grossly violated both WHO (World Health Organisation) and NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard of India) in respect of acceptable daily average PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter) concentrations by a wide margin. Predicting the city level PM10 concentrations in advance and accordingly initiate prior actions is an acceptable solution to save the city dwellers from PM10 induced health hazards. Predictive ability of three models, linear Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), nonlinear Multi-Layer Perceptron class of Artificial Neural Network (MLP ANN), and nonlinear Classification and Regression Tree (CART), for one day ahead PM10 concentration forecasting of tier-II Guwahati city, were tested with 2016–2018 daily average observed climate data, PM10, and gaseous pollutants. The results show that the non-linear algorithm MLP with feedforward backpropagation network topologies of ANN class, gives the best prediction value compared with linear MLR and nonlinear CART model. Therefore, ANN (MLP) approach may be useful to effectively derive a predictive understanding of one day ahead PM10 concentration level and thus provide a tool to the policymakers for initiating in situ measures to curb air pollution and improve public health.

Climatic Envelope as an Urban Planning Tool to Configure Urban Fabric of Guwahati City to Support Daylight and Natural Ventilation

Over the last decade, as a result of rapid urban growth and increasing human population, Guwahati city is witnessing multilayered transformation owing to socio-economic, geo-political and technological issues. This constant increase of built form is resulting haphazard urban growth pattern in down town city areas sacrificing the access to daylight and solar radiation inside residential buildings. Even though the development pattern of Guwahati is controlled by established GMDA building bye-laws; these building regulations and guidelines are unable to control the organic growth of the city since there is no climate-sensitive approach available in the existing GMDA bye-laws. This paper aims to discuss the likelihood of constructing a composite climatic envelope by using daylight spacing angle and solar elevation angle techniques within the residential zone of Guwahati city. This paper also analyses how climatic envelope technique helps to establish an efficient height-to-width (H/W) ratio in spatial arrangement of residential neighbourhood and ensures a higher levels of daylight factor (DF), permits solar access to the neighboring buildings and also enables better ventilation rate inside every rooms of residential buildings. This paper analyses further to discuss about the performance of natural ventilation inside building envelope and reviews the common energy code of openable window to floor area (WFRop) ratio in urban residential buildings. During this study, an existing urban spatial arrangement of residential neighbourhood under GMDA jurisdiction is studied, discussed and analysed. Results of this study, plotting H/W ratio against average daylight factor and ventilation rate can be used as a preliminary urban design tool to configure the urban fabric especially within the residential zone of GMDA area.

An Analytical Approach on Enzymatic Degradation of Biochemical Components by Isolated Food Contaminant Pathogens from Sugarcane Juice of Street Salesman

Background: Sugarcane is an important agro-industrial crop as a worldwide manufacturing plant. Scientifically it is the so-called Saccharum officinarum. Sugarcane juice is dark brown golden in color with medium flavor intensity contains caramel, butterscotch and green flavor and sucrose hydrolyzed to an equimolar mixture of glucose and fructose providing instant energy transported by fluid thermodynamics. The expected research based on a new implementation of harmful pathogens against roadside sellers of sugarcane juices. The work is currently reviewed and renewed for automated analysis techniques with verified street juice samples at Guwahati city in Assam. Following spring to summer seasons, the favorite juice to people of all ages in India is supposed to health-threatening for public health concerns. Respective doctors and Practitioner carry out their treatment against this pathogen along with antibiotic supplements unknowingly the etiological source about UTI or GI tract infections. Methods: Here researchers finding (Chowdhury et al., 2019) are to analyze and categorize the biochemical fermentation activities of pathogens with significant enzyme degrading analyzed from sugarcane juice against gut acting probiotics, responsible for food toxicity and intestinal disorder. Diagnostic microbial activities in well diffusion studies are followed by automated analysis for significant provoking of health status.Result: Epidemiological studies were concerned to identify risk factors through the comparison of incidence and prevalence between groups exposed and not exposed to risk factors. Probabilities of disease occurrence can be compared using measures of strength of association or potential impact. The studies are compared with the graph and its data implementations to find out the significant level for beneficial sources.

Spatial variation of surface urban heat island magnitude along the urban-rural gradient of four rapidly growing Indian cities

The unplanned and uncontrolled urbanization of Indian cities has put them under different ecological and environmental threats. Urban heat island (UHI) is one such critical ecological hazard, whereby an urban area is experiencing higher land surface temperature (LST) as compared to the surrounding rural area. In the present study, the relationship of LST and surface urban heat island (SUHI) with the degree of impervious surface (IS) and green spaces (GS) in four rapidly growing Indian cities is presented. This study utilizes different geospatial techniques, including urban-rural gradient analysis, surface urban heat island estimation using Landsat OLI/TIRS data. The results signify a strong negative correlation of LST with the IS for Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Nagpur, while a positive correlation is seen over Guwahati. The negative correlation is the manifestation of the urban cool island, pertaining to higher LST over rural areas. On the other hand, Guwahati is surrounded by green vegetation, which provides natural cooling and thus lowers the LST, resulting in positive SUHI. The density of GS is found to be a significant contributor of SUHI in Guwahati city, whereas in the other three cities, its impact is insignificant due to its presence in very less amount in rural surroundings.

Inducible resistance to clindamycin in staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples in tertiary care hospitals in Guwahati City

Inducible resistance to clindamycin in <i>staphylococcus aureus</i> and methicillin-resistant <i>staphylococcus aureus</i> isolated from clinical samples in tertiary care hospitals in Guwahati City

A Study on Customer Satisfaction Towards Britannia Biscuits in Guwahati City

A Study on Customer Satisfaction Towards Britannia Biscuits in Guwahati City

EMPATHY OF THE BANCASSURANCE CHANNEL: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the customers’ perception regarding empathy exhibited by the bancassurance channel and factors affecting it.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: Using random sampling, the data was collected from customers of several branches of State bank of India in Guwahati city of Assam, who have availed life insurance services from these branches. Tool of structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Mean, standard deviation, regression analysis was used to analyze the data and draw logical conclusions. &#x0D; Findings: The study shows that customer perceives bancassurance channel to have a high level of empathy towards customers. It was also found that none of the demographic variables considered in the study have any impact on influencing perception. Therefore, policymaker can adopt one fits all approach in the case of demographic aspects to improve the empathetic nature showed by the bancassurance channel.&#x0D; Research Limitations: The study takes into consideration the customers who have bought Life insurance service from various branches of State Bank of India, Guwahati, Assam, India.&#x0D; Originality: The study is first of its kind in assessing customer’s perception of empathy shown by the bancassurance channel. The study will be useful for researchers, academicians and those working in the area of bancassurance and in their understanding about factors influencing customer experience, satisfaction and retention strategy.&#x0D; Major Conclusion: The study finds that customers of the bancassurance channel perceive that the channel demonstrates high empathy. Therefore, policymaker can advocate for an increase in penetration of life insurance through the bancassurance channel. As there is no association between the demographic factors and customers’ perception towards empathy shown by the bancassurance channel, policymaker can adopt one fits all approach in the case of demographic aspects to improve the empathetic nature showed by the bancassurance channel.&#x0D;

Impact of urbanization on land use and land cover change in Guwahati city, India and its implication on declining groundwater level

Urban environment continues to expand at an unprecedented rate to meet the demand of increasing population and economic development. The resulting changes to landscapes have increased stress to hydrological cycles, biogeochemical processes, and environmental sustainability of natural resources. This study evaluated spatio-temporal changes of land use and land cover (LULC) between 1990 and 2020 in Guwahati city, India. Time-series Landsat satellite images were analyzed using supervised classification schemes followed by quantification of LULC change over time. Five broad LULC classes were identified on the basis of spectral reflectance signature. Confusion matrix determined high classification accuracy with Kappa Coefficient >0.81 in all cases. The results showed that the urban built environment has doubled in area in 30 years (1990–2020). The urban environments have increased at the expense of vegetation, fallow land, and open areas and to some extent wetlands. Notably, the expansions of urban areas have taken place from city center to the south, to the south-east, and along the east-west National Highway 37 connecting other NE States of India. There is no clear indication of change in the amount of precipitation in response to urbanization. However, analysis of long-term groundwater level data suggests a steady decline in the depth to groundwater level. The declining trend is attributed to urbanization and population growth. The increase in impervious surface coverage due to urbanization have extensively reduced the areas of high potential groundwater recharge zones and thereby dropping the level of groundwater in the wells.

Energy use in Building Envelope of a Residential Apartment Building in the Warm and Humid Climate of Guwahati, Assam

In recent years, Guwahati city is witnessing a rapid urban growth due to ever-increasing human population sacrificing existing green pockets. This constant increase of built form is resulting in environmental imbalances and microclimate changes, contributing in a rise of indoor air temperature and that ultimately results a gradual increase in the energy consumption to maintain indoor thermal comfort in the inner-city areas. Although the urban growth pattern of Guwahati is controlled by prevailing GMDA building bye-laws, these building parameters are unable to control the organic growth of the city since there is no climate-sensitive approach available in the GMDA bye-laws. This paper aims to discuss the energy use in the building envelope by analysing the energy efficiency of a residential apartment building of Guwahati and reviews most common energy efficient codes that influences the heat gain or loss, natural ventilation, and day lighting, which, in turn, determines indoor temperatures, thermal comfort, and sensible cooling or heating demand inside urban residential buildings. Four relationships of building parameters are studied and analysed their impact on energy use. The amount of heat gain or loss, natural ventilation and day lighting that are allowed by building envelop will be calculated for each relationships and compared. All the relationships specify building envelope design that helps to improve the energy efficiency in residential building, but none suggested a basis for its proportion. This paper analyses the use of daylight and natural ventilation within a building envelope helps to minimise the energy consumption. A climate conscious urban design approach associating common energy codes such as window to floor area (WFR) ratio, Visual light transmittance (VLT) and residential envelope transmittance value (RETV) against average daylight and natural ventilation can be utilised as preliminary urban design techniques in development control regulations especially in the residential zones in the inner-city areas of Guwahati metropolitan development authority (GMDA).

English

English

Risks to health from ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) to the residents of Guwahati city, India: An analysis of prediction model

The smaller cities in India are facing acute problems due to air pollution but remain unaccounted due to lack of effort in highlighting them through studies. Ambient pollution data and climate data of one tier 2 Indian city, Guwahati, were collected for three years, i.e., 2016–2018 and analyzed. It showed that the winter season was very harsh from the air pollution point of view as almost 99% of the time the ambient PM10 concentrations were recorded to be more than 100 µg m − 3. Based on a derived and validated MLR equation, the PM2.5 level for the non-monitored areas of the city was predicted. The non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of PM2.5 was done with the help of hazard quotients (HQs) of the city and presented as a GIS-based map. During the winter, the city faced acute health risks because the computed HQ values were found to be more than ‘1’ in most of the areas of the city. Considering the high mortality burden associated with air pollution exposure in India, the policy-makers need to initiate focused policy prescriptions to curb air pollution concentrations for the smaller cities as well.

Awareness and attitude towards reproductive and sexual health rights and practices among college students: An empirical study

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, awareness and attitudes among college going students towards reproductive and sexual health rights, issues and practices. Methods/Statistical analysis: A cross-sectional study was conducted across colleges of Guwahati city among the first year students over the months of January and February 2020. The method of systematic random sampling was used. Sample size amounted to 306 students. Age group of the sample ranged between 18-19 years. The basic inclusion criteria was that the target population needs to be first year students enrolled in either science or arts stream. Self-administered questionnaires were the primary method of data collection. Analysis of data was done using Microsoft excel and open EPI software. Chi square test of independence was performed to test linkages between crucial variables. Findings : A total of 306 students were enrolled for the study. With respect to knowledge about legal statutes relating to reproductive rights issues like abortion, duration of maternity leave, 52% of the respondents had correct knowledge and information. 49% of the students were aware about the legality of homosexuality in India. Knowledge questions on sexual health and menstrual hygiene generated correct responses from 44% of students. 87% of the students favoured inclusion of sex education in at the institutional levels and free supply of implements for maintenance of menstrual hygiene at schools and colleges. Application: The findings of this study can supplement and assist further health policy research in the field of adolescent sexual health rights and needs especially, in the Northeastern Indian region. Keywords: Sexual health; reproductive rights; homosexuality; menstrual hygiene; sex education

Hatchability of broiler chicken eggs on total egg set

An investigation was aimed at to evaluate the hatchability of broiler chicken eggs and its variation among the hatcheries. The study was carried out in different hatcheries located in Guwahati city throughout the whole year, 2011. Total seventeen numbers of established hatcheries were included for the study and the required information and data were collected from the hatchery owners using a set of structured interview schedule specially prepared for the study. The highest hatchability rate on Total Egg Set (TES) was found in Dynamic hatcheries (81.53%) and lowest hatchability was found in Shivam hatcheries (75.91%). From the overall observation it could be concluded that the mean hatchability in the hatcheries was 78.49%. The Analysis of variance for hatchability (%) of broiler chicken eggs on TES basis has shown highly significant difference between the hatcheries (P

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) among the Elderly of Guwahati City, Assam: A Cross-sectional Study

International Journal of Medicine and Public Health,2020,10,2,77-80.DOI:10.5530/ijmedph.2020.2.16Published:June 2020Type:Original ArticlePrevalence and Risk Factors of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) among the Elderly of Guwahati City, Assam: A Cross-sectional StudyAnku Moni Saikia, and Vinoth Rajendran Anku Moni Saikia, Vinoth Rajendran* Department of Community Medicine, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Bhangagarh, Guwahati, Assam, INDIA. Abstract:Background: WHO defines “Healthy Ageing” as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. The population among the elderly is growing constantly and with increased life expectancy, there is a tremendous increase in morbidity and disability. MCI is an intermediate stage between dementia and cognitive decline in normal individuals. It is important to understand various factors associated with MCI to develop preventive strategies. Objectives: To find out the prevalence and risk factors of mild cognitive impairment among the elderly in Guwahati, Assam. Settings and Design: A communitybased, cross-sectional study was conducted in Guwahati City. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among the elderly of 60 years or above of both the sexes in Guwahati City. Considering p=14.89%, sample size was calculated as 576 elderly. Fifty percent of the total wards i.e. 16 wards were selected randomly and 36 elderly were selected from each ward. The data were collected using a predesigned and pretested schedule, Hindi Mini-Mental State Examination (HMMSE) scale for mild cognitive impairment, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) of Katz Index and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) of Lawton Index for functional status. Results: The prevalence of MCI was 24.2%. The risk factors like gender, living arrangement, education, alcohol consumption, constipation, sleep disturbance were associated with mild cognitive impairment on binary logistic regression. Conclusion: A very high prevalence of MCI was found among the elderly. Various modifiable risk factors like living arrangement, education, alcohol consumption, sleep disturbance and depression were found to be associated with MCI and it can be targeted to prevent MCI. Keywords:Assam, elderly, HMMSE, Mild cognitive impairment, PrevalenceView:PDF (164.35 KB)

Spatially Distributed Sub-Soil Information Model of Guwahati City on Regional Scale

Spatially Distributed Sub-Soil Information Model of Guwahati City on Regional Scale

Incidence of heavy metals and river restoration assessment of a major South Asian transboundary river.

Heavy metal contamination of river water has become a major issue affecting environmental and human health worldwide. This study makes an effort to observe the heavy metal incidence of River Brahmaputra, India, and its river restoration assessment for 2years, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. River Brahmaputra is the second longest and a major transboundary river of the South Asian region, which transcends the political boundaries of China, India and Bangladesh. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyse the interrelationships between physico-chemical parameters (which was also analysed during our study) and heavy metals. Heavy metal pollution index and multivariate analyses such as hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to establish our scientific observations. An assessment involving people's willingness to pay for river restoration was also done. Arsenic (As), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) were monitored in three stations, namely, Dibrugarh Town (Tinkunia Ghat), Guwahati City (Bharalumukh) and Dhubri Town (Jahajghat), for the periods 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. The overall mean concentration was in the order Hg > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd > As > Sb. Heavy metal pollution index was found in the order station 2 (344) > station 3 (320) > station 1 (317). Results clearly indicate the presence of heavy metal pollution in the Brahmaputra river, with very high levels in Guwahati City. Concentrations of Ni, Cr, Hg and Cd were found to be very high while As presence was marginally high. Concentration of Pb and Sb were nearly the prescribed World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standards limits. Multivariate analyses suggest that the heavy metal pollution is linked to similar sources in all the sampled sites. Further, the river restoration assessment revealed that citizens are willing to pay an average of INR 22.6 (USD 0.30) for restoring the water quality. Therefore, given the high levels of heavy metal contamination witnessed in the Brahmaputra river and citizens willingness to contribute towards restoring its water quality, the need for an appropriate river restoration strategy and water policy is strongly felt as an outcome of this study.

Maternal anaemia and pregnancy outcome: a descriptive study in rural areas of Kamrup District, Assam

Background: The relationship between iron deficiency anaemia and low-birth-weight babies during pregnancy remains significant. Low birth weight babies are an increasing risk affecting infant mortality and poor developmental abilities is a rising concern. We aimed to identify the changes in hemoglobin level during pregnancy and study their impact on birth outcomes. This study aimed also to investigate and compare the prevalence of anaemic and non anaemic pregnant women in Boko Bongaon block, Assam in relation to maternal, antenatal and birth-associated factors. Subject/Methods: The study setting is in a rural area of Boko-Bongaon, Kamrup situated 85km away from Guwahati city. The Study design is a community based cross-sectional study done during the period from August 2012 to July 2013. A total of 160 pregnant women were selected by simple random sampling and data collected by house to house visit. Interview was conducted with the use of Predesigned, Pretested structured schedule. Results: We analysed deliveries of 160 pregnant women of which 156 were full term births and 4 still births. There was a statistical significant association between anaemia and birth weight of the babies. Anaemia (Hb&lt;11g/dl), was prevalent in 86% of women, but was not significantly related to the birth outcomes. Conclusion: The present study highlights the importance of regular monitoring of haemoglobin level at intervals during pregnancy to prevent anaemia. Future studies should explore other related risk factors and the reasons for poor birth outcomes in mothers in this population, to inform the design of appropriate public health policies that address this issue

A Study on the Parental Awareness on the Heavy Weight School Bag of Primary School Children in Guwahati City

A Study on the Parental Awareness on the Heavy Weight School Bag of Primary School Children in Guwahati City

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Stone Polishing Workers u sing Stone Polishing Devices in Unorganized Sector of Guwahati India

Stone polishing is one of the prominent informal sector in India (and world as well), where a large number of stone polisher works for long duration. Stone polishing workers manually operate the polishing machine either in standing or sitting position to carry out polishing activities, and are quite prone to various MSDs (repetitive strain induced) and thereby injuries and accidents. The present research therefore intends to explore the occurrences of WMSDs among the stone-polishing workers, and with utmost attempt to put forward some recommendations regarding corrective measures. Thirty (30) male stone polishing workers were selected from the Guwahati city of Assam. A comprehensive study on discomfort feeling was carried out by the modified Nordic questionnaire which considered the information about work nature and job stress. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method was followed to evaluate whole body postural load and risks associated with the job. The finding of the study contributes to the understanding of the working conditions of the stone polishing workers and their physical discomforts at various body parts (mainly the lower back, knees and shoulder) due to awkward posture, repetitive motion, force exertion and sustained load handling during polishing activities. To overcome the problem arisen from aforesaid ergonomic stressors associated with stone-polishing work, ergonomic design intervention pertaining to modification of the equipment / hand tool like handle design, easy manoeuvrability, avoiding hand-holding of weight etc. have been proposed

Another new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Guwahati, Assam, India.

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Guwahati city in the state of Assam, India and provide additional data on the recently described Cyrtodactylus guwahatiensis. Cyrtodactylus urbanus sp. nov. falls in the newly defined khasiensis group within the Indo-Burma clade of Cyrtodactylus and is the poorly supported sister taxon to Cyrtodactylus khasiensis. The new species differs from other members of the khasiensis group in mitochondrial sequence data (12.5-17.1 % uncorrected pairwise ND2 sequence divergence) as well as aspects of morphology including the number and arrangement of precloacal pores in males, the number of mid-ventral scales and paravertebral tubercles, and colour pattern. This is the second Cyrtodactylus endemic to the Guwahati region, the fourth from Assam and the twelfth from Northeast India.