Southern Indian City Research Articles

Bioavailable fractions of heavy metals in the road dust during infrastructure construction at urban Coimbatore and its potential health implications, India.

Over the past two decades the Global South is witnessing unprecedented economic transformation and Asian Cities in particular have a remarkable upsurge. Coimbatore, an industrial city in Southern India with an estimated population of 2 million (in 2022) is witnessing a rapid transition in terms of infrastructure development. In this context, the present study attempts to assess the particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) emissions at road network construction sites and the heavy metal fractionation in the road dust/sediment samples with a core focus to quantify the bioavailable fraction of metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni) and its source apportionment in the road side dust/sediment samples. About 60 composite road dust/sediment samples were collected for heavy metal fractionation analysis in the six arterial roads that undergo core developments like construction of road over bridges, additional road incorporation and street expansions. PM monitoring revealed that 24h average PM2.5 (47µg/m3) and PM10 (69µg/m3) concentrations at many construction sites exceeded 24h average recommended by WHO guidelines [PM2.5 (15µg/m3) and PM10 (45µg/m3), respectively]. The bioavailable fractions of Fe, Cu, Cr and Cd are notably higher in the roadside sediment samples at road construction sites. Health Risk assessment, such as carcinogenic risks (Children-4.41 × 10-2, Adult-3.598 × 10-6) and non-carcinogenic risks, inferred substantial risks at high intensity construction sites with statistical analyses, including PCA and cluster analysis, indicating considerable anthropogenic influences in the heavy metal fractions.

Atmospheric aerosol chemistry and source apportionment of PM10 using stable carbon isotopes and PMF modelling during fireworks over Hyderabad, southern India

This study examined the influence of fireworks on atmospheric aerosols over the Southern Indian city of Hyderabad during festival of Diwali using mass closure, stable carbon isotopes and the EPA-PMF model. Identification of chemical species in day and night time aerosol samples for 2019 and 2020 Diwali weeks showed increased concentrations of NH4+, NO3−, SO42−, K+, organic carbon (OC), Ba, Pb and Li, which were considered as tracers for fireworks. PM10 source apportionment was done using inorganic (trace elements, major ions) and carbonaceous (organic and elemental carbon; OC & EC) constituents, along with stable isotopic compositions of TC and EC. K+/Na+ ∼1 and K+nss/OC > 0.5 indicated contribution from fireworks. High NO3−, NH4+, Na+, Cl− and SO42− suggested the presence of deliquescent salts NaCl, NH4NO3 and (NH4)2SO4. TAE/TCE >1 suggested H+ exclusion, indicating possible presence of H2SO4 and NH4HSO4 in the aerosols. Ba, Pb, Sb, Sr and Fe increased by 305 (87), 12 (11), 12 (3), 3 (2) and 3 (4) times on Diwali nights, compared to pre-Diwali of 2019 (2020), and are considered as metallic tracers of fireworks. δ13CTC and δ13CEC in aerosols closely resembled that of diesel and C3 plant burning emissions, with meagre contribution from firecrackers during Diwali period. The δ13CEC was relatively depleted than δ13CTC and δ13COC. For both years, δ13COC-EC (δ13COC - δ13CEC) were positive, suggesting photochemical aging of aerosols during long-range transport, while for pre-Diwali 2019 and post-Diwali 2020, δ13COC-EC were negative with high OC/EC ratio, implying secondary organic aerosols formation. High toluene during Diwali week contributed to fresh SOA formation, which reacted with precursor 12C, leading to 13C depletions. Eight-factored EPA-PMF source apportionment indicated highest contribution from residue/waste burning, followed by marine/dust soil and fireworks, while least was contributed from solid fuel/coal combustion.

Prediction of groundwater fluctuations in Chengalpattu district through machine learning

Groundwater, found beneath the Earth’s surface in saturated zones of soil, sediment, and rock, plays a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting human activities like agriculture and industry. Monitoring and managing groundwater resources are crucial for sustainable use. As of the latest update in January 2022, Chennai, a city in southern India, has been grappling with water scarcity issues. The city has faced recurrent water shortages due to various factors, including rapid urbanization, inadequate infrastructure, depleting groundwater levels, and irregular rainfall patterns. Chengalpattu district in Tamil Nadu, India, is known for its diverse geographical features, incorporating urban and rural landscapes, and is significant for agriculture and water resource management. This study focuses on predicting variations in groundwater levels in open wells at different locations in the Chengalpattu district, assessing the effectiveness of various machine-learning models. This paper utilizes the ARIMA model provided by the stats models library. This library is widely employed for statistical modelling and hypothesis testing in Python, and encompasses a range of tools for time series analysis, including the ARIMA model. In this context. ARIMA models are employed for predicting future depth which focus on depicting autocorrelations in the data. Additionally, a package consolidating various models, including Seasonal Naïve (a straightforward forecasting method for seasonal data that serves as a reliable benchmark by relying on the observation from the same period a season ago), was incorporated in this study.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in bovine milk from a typical informal electronic waste recycling and related source regions in southern India before and after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak

For more than a decade, Chennai city in southern India has been evidenced with informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling and open burning practices as the potential sources for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs can bioaccumulate in livestock particularly cows grazing on the contaminated soil. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to additional challenges associated with waste management practices. Hence this study aims to elucidate twenty-five PCB congeners in bovine milk from the previously reported PCB source regions in Chennai and the suburbs before and after about three years of the pandemic outbreak along electronic waste recycling (EWR), open burning dumps (OBD), and residential (RES) transects. The geomean concentration of Ʃ25PCBs in ng/g lipid weight (lw) followed a decreasing trend of EWR (13 ng/g lw) > OBD (8 ng/g lw) > RES (4 ng/g lw). Over 80 % of PCBs stemmed from EWR and OBD transects before and after the pandemic. However, a significant surge in the level of PCB-52 was observed in the OBD transect after the pandemic outbreak. Most toxic PCB congeners, PCB-126 and -169 were significant contributors to TEQs in EWR and OBD transects and can be reasoned with the burning of waste materials and mixed plastics in these transects. The highest average daily dose (ADD) exposure risk was for children from EWR and was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other transects. Mean ADD-induced TEQ (6.6 pg TEQ/kg-bw/day) from the cows grazing around Kodungaiyur dumpsite slightly exceeded the EU guideline of 5.5 pg TEQ/kg-bw/day after the outbreak of the pandemic due to PCB-126. However, none of the samples exceeded the US FDA (1.5μg/g milk fat) recommendation limits for PCBs in milk fat. Prolonged exposure to such persistent organic pollutants interlinked with the burning of mixed waste in the open dumps can be a public health concern.

Impact of air pollutants on climate change and prediction of air quality index using machine learning models

The impact of air pollution in Chennai metropolitan city, a southern Indian coastal city was examined to predict the Air Quality Index (AQI). Regular monitoring and prediction of the Air Quality Index (AQI) are critical for combating air pollution. The current study created machine learning models such as XGBoost, Random Forest, BaggingRegressor, and LGBMRegressor for the prediction of the AQI using the historical data available from 2017 to 2022. According to historical data, the AQI is highest in January, with a mean value of 104.6 g/gm, and the lowest in August, with a mean AQI value of 63.87 g/gm. Particulate matter, gaseous pollutants, and meteorological parameters were used to predict AQI, and the heat map generated showed that of all the parameters, PM2.5 has the greatest impact on AQI, with a value of 0.91. The log transformation method is used to normalize datasets and determine skewness and kurtosis. The XGBoost model demonstrated strong performance, achieving an R2 (correlation coefficient) of 0.9935, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.02, a mean square error (MSE) of 0.001, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.04. In comparison, the LightGBM model's prediction was less effective, as it attained an R2 of 0.9748. According to the study, the AQI in Chennai has been increasing over the last two years, and if the same conditions persist, the city's air pollution will worsen in the future. Furthermore, accurate future air quality level predictions can be made using historical data and advanced machine learning algorithms.

Role of perceived ecological quality in a scale for measuring attitude toward earthen building techniques; some findings from a survey on compressed stabilized earth blocks in Auroville, India

ABSTRACT This study employed exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to assess how perceived ecological quality influences attitudes toward earthen building techniques (EBTs). The aim was to validate scales for measuring attitudes toward compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) and fired bricks in homes. The experimental attitude scales consist of 12 themes, with only 6 themes being selected for measuring attitudes toward CSEBs. Data was collected from Auroville, a city in southern India known for CSEB buildings. Mean values on a 1 to 7 scale showed that CSEB (M = 5.15) and CSEB homes (M = 5.33) were perceived as more ecological (p < 0.01) than fired bricks (M = 3.96) and fired brick homes (M = 4.22). However, EFA results suggested that perceived ecological quality was less important in attitude scales for CSEBs, fired bricks, and homes, warranting its exclusion. The conclusions suggest that education and awareness campaigns that highlight the environmental benefits of EBTs could be used to address the persistent cognitive bias that leads people to perceive fired bricks as neutral. The development of a common scale for assessing attitudes toward EBTs would enable more effective comparisons between different EBTs and the development of targeted promotion strategies. Further confirmatory studies are needed to validate the concept of attitude toward EBTs.

Digital Perception on Changes Experienced in Modern Banking Services Perceptional Study in Salem City

The adoption of new technology to provide digital banking to enhance ease of use, transaction speed and an improved overall experience is essential for banking institutions to remain competitive both locally, and internationally. The digitalization of banking has revolutionized banking operations and practices. In India specifically, banking services have changed dramatically since the economic liberalization of 1991, but particularly over the last decade with rapid adoption of technology with the aim of improved operational and administrative efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the perception amongst customers and bankers in the Southern Indian city of Salem, on the changes experienced in banking services vis-a-vis adoption of technology and the issues faced in this regard its relationship to customer (and Banker) demographics.

Book Review: Victory City by Salman Rushdie

Victory City, the latest literary masterpiece by acclaimed author Salman Rushdie, is a compelling and thought-provoking work of fiction that delves into the complexities of identity, power, and the struggle between tradition and change. Set in a dynamic city in southern India, the novel presents a vivid and detailed exploration of the lives of several individuals as they navigate the tumultuous waters of a metropolis in transition. Through his exquisite prose and masterful storytelling, Rushdie creates a surreal and dreamlike setting that is both alluring and terrifying, capturing the essence of the miraculous and the everyday as two halves of the same whole.

Environmentally-Friendly Bio-Coagulants: A Cost-Effective Solution for Groundwater Pollution Treatment

Groundwater in aquifers is one of the most significant renewable natural resources. It provides drinking water to more than 90% of the rural population. The majority of domestic and industrial garbage is disposed off in open dumping yards. As a result, groundwater becomes contaminated and of poor quality. Many therapy strategies are being used in various regions of the world to address this issue. We investigated the groundwater properties in a section of an industrial city in southern India and treated the contaminated groundwater using natural bio-coagulants in this study. Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit peel), Momordica charantia (Bitter gourd seed), Musa paradisiaca (Banana blossom leaf), and Cynodon dactylon were employed as eco-friendly bio-coagulants (Scutch grass). These coagulants are good at removing turbidity while also keeping the pH of the water stable. Furthermore, these natural coagulants lower BOD, COD, and salt levels. Groundwater can be utilised for home purposes after treatment. Because it is a low-cost and environmentally friendly approach, a vast population can afford it.

Gaming among female adolescents: profiling and psychopathological characteristics in the Indian context.

Gaming is a predominant leisure time activity among adolescents, and the literature suggests that unrestrained gaming behavior might lead to gaming disorder. ICD-11 and DSM-5 have recognized gaming disorder as a psychiatric condition and grouped it under the behavioral addiction category. Research on gaming behavior and addiction is largely based on data from the male population, and problematic gaming has largely been understood from the male perspective. In this study, we are attempting to bridge the existing lacuna in the literature by exploring gaming behavior, gaming disorder, and its related psychopathological characteristics among female adolescents in India. The study was conducted on a sample of 707 female adolescent participants who were contacted through schools and academic institutes in a city in Southern India. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, and data were administered using the mixed modality of online and offline data collection. The participants filled out the following set of questionnaires: socio-demographic sheet, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Brief sensation-seeking scale (BSSS-8). The data gathered from the participants were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 26. The descriptive statistics revealed that 0.8% of the sample (i.e., five participants out of 707) obtained scores meeting gaming addiction criteria. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between all the psychological variables with total IGD scale scores (p < 0.05). Total SDQ, total BSSS-8, and domain scores of SDQ, such as emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems, were positively correlated, whereas total Rosenberg scores and domain scores of prosocial behaviors of SDQ were negatively correlated. The Mann-Whitney U-test was employed to compare "with gaming disorder" and "without gaming disorder" categories of female participants. Comparing these two groups revealed significant differences in emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problem, and self-esteem scale scores. Furthermore, quantile regression was computed, showing that conduct, peer problem, and self-esteem displayed trend-level prediction for gaming disorder. Female adolescents prone to gaming addiction can be identified through psychopathological characteristics of conduct, peer problem, and low self-esteem. This understanding can be useful in developing a theoretical model focusing on early screening and preventive strategies for at-risk female adolescents.

Abstract #1402867: Association of Corneal Sensitivity with Indian Diabetes Risk Score in Asian Indians The Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (Cures)

The association of the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) with markers of atherosclerotic changes has been reported by us earlier. Loss of corneal sensation has been reported in people with diabetes and its association with carotid intimal thickness (a marker, strongly associated with cardiovascular disease) has been documented earlier. This paper deals with the relationship between loss of corneal sensitivity and IDRS. Subjects without known diabetes (n=1,388) were selected from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, a population-based study on a representative population (aged ≥20 years) of Chennai, the largest city in Southern India. Serum lipids were measured in an overnight fasting sample along with other biochemical parameters. Corneal sensitivity was measured using a Cochet Bonnet aesthesiometer (C-BA (model II; Luneau Ophthalmlogie, Chartres, France) and graded as normal (60 mm), moderately reduced (55 mm) and significantly reduced (≤50 mm). The MDRF-IDRS is a simple risk score to aid in the detection of undiagnosed diabetes in the community, which uses four simple parameters, viz., age, waist circumference, family history of diabetes and physical activity. Subjects with MDRF-IDRS value of <30 were categorized as low risk, those between 30 and 50 as moderate risk and those with ≥60 as high risk for diabetes. Individuals with high IDRS had significantly high values of fasting plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and HbA1c compared to those with moderate and low risk IDRS (p value of <0.001). When categorised based on IDRS, the individuals with high risk for diabetes (score of ≥60) had significantly reduced (≤50 mm) corneal sensitivity in 7.2 % % compared to 1.2% among those with moderate risk IDRS group and none in the low risk IDRS group. Same trend was observed with moderately reduced corneal sensitivity, from 1.9 % vs 10% vs 19.6 % in low, moderate and high risk IDRS group (p value of <0.001). This study shows that simple tool IDRS can be used to screen for those with reduced corneal sensation.

Parental Mental Health and Challenges in Parenting of Pre-schoolers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: This study aimed to understand the parental stress, psychological distress, and parenting practices of parents of pre-schoolers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and Materials: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted with the parents of preschool children aged 3–6 years. Researchers used the Parental Stress Scale, Self-Reporting Questionnaire, and Parent Practice Interview to collect data from parents in the Southern Indian city of Bengaluru. Results: A total of 60 responses were obtained from the online survey. Moderate to a high level of parental stress and mild to moderate levels of psychological distress were found among the parents. Around 21 (35%) of parents were found in need of mental health consultation. The study found no group differences in parental stress and psychological distress among various socio-demographic variables. The study found a significant association between parental stress and the parenting practices of participants. Higher mean scores were observed on mothers in setting clear expectations of pre-schoolers. Conclusion: Parenting young pre-schoolers is a difficult task. COVID-19 pandemic has made the parenting process challenging for parents. Parents must engage the children at home, and helping them cope with the new environment is a tightrope walk. Such uncertainties are supposed cause distress and lead to poor parenting parents among the parents, especially with pre-schoolers who are more demanding. There is a need to address parents’ concerns and train them to deal with the situations effectively.

Exploring e-waste recycling behaviour intention among the households: Evidence from India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to look into the causes and consequences of e-waste recycling intentions. A conceptual model is developed and tested using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). We investigated the impact of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control on household residents' intention to recycle e-waste. Bringing habits and convenience together in a prominent model that predicts people's recycling behaviour. Households play a significant role in the growth of the e-waste problem because they are at the forefront of the consumption, generation, and management processes. Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to examine the e - waste recycling behaviour among households (n = 228) in a metropolitan city in southern India using a structured survey method using a questionnaire. As a statistical technique for data analysis, hierarchical regression was used. FindingsBased on the results of a hierarchical regression analysis, I attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control are positively connected to recycling intention, and (ii) recycling intention, habits, and convenience are favourably related to recycling behaviour in households. Good explanatory power and confirmation of its robustness are shown by the integrated model's ability to account for more than 53% of the variance in households' e-waste recycling behaviour. Attitudes and subjective norms are shown to be major determinants of households' inclination to recycle electronic garbage. There is an inverse relationship between perceived behavioural control and the intent to recycle electronic waste. Surprisingly, other characteristics like routine and convenience reveal a considerable influence on people's propensity to recycle e-waste at home. Research implications/limitationsThe current study is limited by the common method bias and the social desirability bias because it relies on self-report measures. On the other hand, proper statistical methods were used in this work to minimize such distortions. Practical implicationsReducing the amount of electronic waste is predicted to lessen environmental degradation, and when local governments raise awareness about electronic waste among inhabitants, 'green behaviour' is encouraged. Originality/valueThe findings of this research shed new light on the recycling habits of locals. To the best of our knowledge, the conceptual model created and tested on the Indian subcontinent adds to the growing literature on recycling intention and behaviour.

Decoding Loafers’ College: Social Exclusion and Critical Pedagogic Possibilities

In the last few decades, universities in India have witnessed the joining of a record number of students from marginalized communities and oftentimes struggle. This expansion of access has brought about changes within classrooms and college campuses, sometimes giving rise to contention and causing numerous conflicts as well. Centered around my experiences of teaching in a working-class college in Bangalore, a metropolitan city in Southern India, this paper offers reflections on education in challenging circumstances. Further, the essay explores the possibilities of democratic pedagogic practices through the theoretical framework of Maitri.

Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) Model Application in Examining the Effectiveness of Public Service Advertisements

Purpose – This study intends to apply Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework to explain the influence of Public Service Advertisements (PSAs) among users towards their action taking behavior. Moreover, the study investigates the relationships among health characteristics, emotions, attitude towards PSAs, and action taking behavior. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 417 participants were collected using a pretested questionnaire from patients visiting a pediatrics clinic in a southern Indian city. Covariance based Structural equation modeling was employed to test that the health characteristics of a person influence their involvement in healthcare. Findings – Results indicated that the health characteristics of people directly influence their attitudes towards health related PSAs. Additionally, it was also confirmed that the emotion directly impacts person’s involvement with his/her healthcare. Research limitations / implications – Marketers must thoroughly understand the psychology of the consumer and his/her beliefs about a particular drug category before formulating an ad campaign because target audience plays a crucial role in campaign effectiveness of public service advertisements. The challenges increase when the product is health related. Originality/value – Present study used the S-O-R theory to determine the relationships among health characteristics, emotions, attitude towards PSAs and action taking behavior.

Epidemiology of COVID-19 and effect of public health interventions, Chennai, India, March–October 2020: an analysis of COVID-19 surveillance system

ObjectivesTo describe the public health strategies and their effect in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic from March to October 2020 in Chennai, India.SettingChennai, a densely populated metropolitan city in Southern India,...

Assessment of Dental Care Seeking Behaviour and Attitude among Adults in a Metropolitan City in Southern India- An Observational Study

Introduction: Understanding the factors that promote or impede dental visits is a prerequisite for devising healthcare changes because underuse of dental services is linked to an increased burden of oral disorders. Aim: The study aimed to comprehensively explore the factors that could have a positive or negative influence on oral health care seeking behaviour among adults in Chennai. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among patients visiting the outpatient Department, SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai, India from April 2019 to January 2020. A structured questionnaire was admistered via both printed and online Google forms to adult patients aged above 18 years. Google forms were shared via WhatsApp social media platform. A total of 503 completed responses were statistically analysed. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the association and the strength of association between the various factors and dental visits. Results: A total of 503 subjects were surveyed of which 75.94% had visited a dentist previously, of which males were 216 and females were 287. The most frequently cited reasons for not visiting a dentist were lack of time (60.23%), high cost (56.06%) and not having dental problems (52.88%). Respondents who thought that dental problems were serious or life threatening (65.80%), thought they had poor oral health (2.18%), felt they needed dental treatment (53.87%) and had better awareness on the benefits of regular dental consultations (62.02%) visited the dentist more frequently in the past. A significant association was observed between dental visits and educational qualification, family structure, time constraints, absence of dental problems, religious beliefs and perceived need for treatment (p-value &lt;0.05). Conclusion: Among Indian studies, the current study found the highest frequency of dental visits. Dental visits were hampered by the time constraints, high cost of dental treatment and a lack of dental problems. Awareness that regular dental visits enhance good oral health was comprehended and linked to a higher frequency of dental visits. The study highlights the importance of providing affordable, high quality dental care as well as promoting public awareness in order to overcome barriers to dental service utilisation.

Migrant childhoods and schooling in India: contesting the inclusion-exclusion binary

ABSTRACT Modern schooling systems operate through normative and sedentary framings of childhood, within which migrant childhoods get constructed as outliers. This paper problematizes the discriminatory ways in which such a system operates. The inclusionary mechanisms adopted to ‘mainstream’ ‘hard to reach’ migrant children into formal schools do not address the fundamental spatio-temporal modalities of modern schooling. This complicates the relationship between migrant childhoods and presumed policy dichotomies such as inclusion and exclusion. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in the southern Indian city of Bangalore, this paper foregrounds how migrant children’s lives, are spatio-temporally liminal and precarious in the city. It further explores how these modalities of migrant children’s lives are in discordance with the spatio-temporal framing of modern childhood and schooling. Moreover, migrant children’s own experiences of schooling and socio-spatial marginalization in the city bring out the contradictions of modern schooling.

TOURISM-RELATED URBAN REGENERATION OF HISTORIC CITIES: A REGENERATION STRATEGIES FOR KOCHI, KERALA

The process of reinducing life into decaying assets and developing future potential with the growing tourism of a historic city is known as tourism-related urban regeneration. The assets and potential for such heritage cities consist of built heritage, traditional industries, or cultural resources. The research is based on a study of a historic city in southern India called Kochi in Kerala state, which is famous for its built heritage, cultural evolution, and traditional economic industries. It is globally known for its historical spice trade. However, at present these assets are degenerating due to their low interest in public participation in conservation and regeneration. From the 12th to 17th century, the city Kochi (Cochin-Travancore) achieved global prosperity because of its sea-trade route, linkages with major continents, political patronage, and its existing natural resources. After independence, the city growth gets affected by inadequate development policies and low participation. With the passage of time, the city retained the built heritage and multi-shaded culture with its historical settlement patterns. The city today has shown a strong potential for tourism as there are plenty of heritage buildings, heritage settlements, and the traditional culture of the region. The city’s socio-economy is dominated by traditional industries of skilled craftsmanship and service providers. But at present, this traditional economic potential and cultural heritage of the city are struggling to grow with maximum potential due to the high rate of urbanization and participation failure. Therefore, the research looks into the city’s assets and its economic turbulence that could be a potential for the tourism-related urban regeneration of the region.

Genetic structure and connectivity among Aedes aegypti populations within Madurai city in Southern India.

We investigated the genetic variability and differentiation among 12 Ae. aegypti populations collected within the Madurai city in Tamil Nadu state of Southern India. Genotyping of 12 microsatellite markers in 353 individual samples showed moderate levels of genetic diversity among 12 populations. UPGMA tree, hierarchical clustering, Bayesian clustering and Discriminant Analysis on Principal Components roughly divided these populations into two genetic clusters: main city populations and the populations located at the border of the corporation limit. Significant positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance was observed among 12 populations, however, the correlation was non-significant within each genetic cluster. Population assignment and divMigrate graph depicted less migration between two groups. Overall, the findings of this study provided an overview of Ae. aegypti population structure within an urban setting in India that have implications in effective implementation of vector control in the city area.