Utility In India Research Articles

Demographics of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs utilization in India: Results of an observational study

Demographics of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs utilization in India: Results of an observational study

A practical approach to assessment of the base power contracts and peak power contracts for a distribution utility

Abstract Mix of long term and short term contracts are essential in the portfolio optimisation of the distribution utility for meeting the unrestricted demand of the consumers at the minimum cost. Opening up of power market and the increasing open access transactions in India has made it essential to the distribution utilities to have optimum operation strategy for keeping the competitiveness in the industry. Further, the distribution utilities in India are also mandated with universal supply obligation, due to which the meticulous planning in long term has become more significant for their survival itself. Another aspect to be considered is the social impact on the cost optimisation of electricity procurement as the electricity consumption has direct links to the industrialisation and living comfort of the people. The gestation period of conventional generators is more than five years. Transmission line construction also requires a time span of 3 to 4 years from concept to completion. The influx of renewable energy characterised by the short gestation period, poor predictability and high degree of forecast error are also to be considered. Hence the portfolio optimisation problem becomes more of a management decision than a technical solution of constraint based mathematical modelling. The basic requirement for application in the electricity industry is that the method shall be simple and robust. After considering the several options available the authors have identified modified load profile forecast as the most suitable means for long range forecast of demand. The model relies on the suppression of local peaks when the demand is unitised and then deriving the cardinal points on a linearised load curve from the energy forecast. The method was applied with the actual demand of Kerala and the results are found to be good.

Corporal punishment in schools: Global status and remedial measures

Corporal punishment in schools is a global problem but with increasing awareness about its harmful effects many countries have banned the corporal punishment in schools. In India this problem was quite prevalent and accepted by the society as it was considered beneficial for the good education of children and still many people are in favor of it. Now with the media coming in and highlighting the serious problems of corporal punishment, demands have come to ban it totally. But mere banning and making rules and laws does not completely solve the problem. In this paper this problem of corporal punishment has been defined, its prevalence mapped and ill effects of corporal punishment highlighted. Current status of laws and regulations and their utility in India and various parts of the world has been discussed. Measures have been suggested to curb and eradicate the problem of corporal punishment in educational institutions.

Pig hair fibre utilization in India: Present status and future perspectives

The hair or bristle, one of the key byproducts of pig slaughter, is used for making of brushes for domestic and industrial use. In the present review, the status of scientific knowledge on pig hair or bristle, SWOT analysis of hair sub- component of the piggery sector, balance of global trade and future prospects for promoting the effective pig hair fibre utilization by industries in India are described. The data on physical properties of pig hair or bristle remains sparse in spite of its widespread use in making different kinds of brushes in India and the world. Analysis of international trade data indicated that, India is primarily an importer of raw fibres and export accounts for less than 0.1% of the global trade. In India, most of the pig hairs/bristles are burned at the time of slaughter, wasting the valuable bio-resource permanently. On the other hand, the country imports raw fibre materials for catering the needs of domestic fibre industries. Thus, there exists abundant opportunities for promotion of pig hair fibre production and utilization in India. The advantages of promoting pig hair/bristle fibre for use in fibre industries include its superior tensile properties, availability, and environment friendliness. The industrial utilization requires detailed studies on physical and chemical characteristics of these fibres in relation with tensile properties. The efforts to promote pig fibre utilization will provide additional income to the pig farmers through better byproduct utilization, paving the way for employment generation for the rural youth through development of fibre based environment friendly industries.

Trade on GM Crop: Corporate v. Health Debate

Indian economy has seen many ups and downs but never compromised up to such an extent as it was seen in case of allowance of GM Crop in India. Reason given by government follows for establishing financial stability in country. Various other frolicsome and playful skeptical beneficial effects are publicized so as to encourage the acceptability of GM Crop in country but several instances have raised serious issue regarding claim of both government and private institutions. Focus is provided to the scientific reports and analysis revealing the unwarranted and unethical practices followed during research for determining toxicity of Bt-Brinjal that is an precedent of GM crop family. Same report was also referred by parliamentary committee constituted by Supreme Court to check the precision of permitting GM Crop in India wherein the report came as a contrary move departing GM Crop from country. Indian economy no doubt should be on the focus point during policy formulation but should in no way ingress the precious right to health that is inherited as a sacrosanct principle in national and international human rights arena. Therefore a gist can be perceived that economy should grow without variance with health and other socio-economic problems that are faced by the effected group i.e. in present is users of GM Crop. Until a worldwide stipulation doesn't retain confirming the safety and security of GM Crop, till then the government should withhold the continuance of GM Crop utilization in India.

Soybean: Introduction, Improvement, and Utilization in India—Problems and Prospects

The start of commercial exploitation of soybean in India is nearly four decades old. In this period, the crop has shown unparallel growth in area and production. Soybean has established itself as a major rainy season crop in the rainfed agro-ecosystem of central and peninsular India. Introduction of soybean has resulted in an enhancement in the cropping intensity and resultant increase in the profitability per unit land area. In India, soybean will continue to remain a major rainfed oilseed crop. A number of varieties that have been bred have resulted in this unprecedented growth. The simulation studies and on-farm demonstrations indicate that with current varieties, the rainfed potential of soybean in India is about 2.1 t/ha against the national average productivity of just 1.2 t/ha. Hence, large yield gaps exist between the potential and the actual yields harvested by the farmers. Narrowing of this yield gap may lead to doubling of soybean production. National Agricultural Research System has so far been successful in meeting the research demands of agrarian and industrial community. Further improvements in the yield of soybean grain and quality of soybean oil are possible by use of new research methodologies and by exploitation of recent advances in biology.

Coal utilization in India and Japan: a narrative‐analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to construct historical perceptions of coal use in India and Japan in different historical time periods through the process of analyzing the narratives and discourses in academic, media and trade literatures.Design/methodology/approachIn terms of methodology, this paper will utilize discourse theories/analysis and interpretive history to study the subject matter. In this paper, specific literatures on energy as well as general literatures on themes like technology are utilized.FindingsThe finding of the paper is that discourses and narratives about coal energy for example are constantly negotiated, constructed and then deconstructed again to fit and adapt to new realities, including the availability of newer technologies or priorities and concerns about the environment.Originality/valueThe research implication and originality of the paper is to demonstrate empirically the idea of the existence of narrative communities debating the use of coal energy in India and Japan. It highlights the communities of stakeholders interested in coal energy resource. The practical application and value of the ideas is the intellectual process of categorizing various contemporary narratives about coal energy use specific to two of the largest consumers and importers of coal in Asia. Through historical narratives of its past and recent coal use, the role and function of coal in the overall energy mix of India and Japan are instructive. The research limitation lies in its non‐quantitative nature and reliance on a combination of academic and trade secondary sources.

Stigma and discrimination as a barrier to mental health service utilization in India

Stigma towards, and discrimination against, people with mental disorders is an important barrier to mental health service utilization in India. It contributes to delays in seeking care, impedes timely diagnosis and treatment for mental disorders, serves as an impediment to recovery and rehabilitation, and ultimately reduces the opportunity for fuller participation in life. In India there is a need to generate evidence base for context specific interventions that will address negative attitudes towards people with mental disorders and ensure implementation of these interventions by involving users, care-givers, community health workers and mental health service providers.

Evaluating the McDonald's business model for HIV prevention among truckers to improve program coverage and service utilization in India, 2004–2010

BackgroundThis study describes the experiences and results of a large-scale human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention for long-distance truck drivers operating on the national highways of India.MethodsThe intervention for long-distance truckers started in 2004 across 34 trans-shipment locations. However, due to poor coverage and utilization of services by truckers in the initial 18-month period, the intervention was redesigned to focus on only 17 trans-shipment locations. The redesigned intervention model was based on the McDonald’s business franchise model where the focus is on optimal placement of services, supported with branding and standardization of services offered, and a surround sound communication approach. Program output indicators were assessed using program monitoring data over 7 years (2004–2010) and two rounds of cross-sectional behavioral surveys conducted in January 2008 (n = 1402) and July 2009 (n = 1407).ResultsThe number of truckers contacted per month per site increased from 374 in 2004 to 4327 in 2010. Analysis of survey data showed a seven-fold increase in clinic visits in the past 12 months from 2008 to 2009 (21% versus 63%, P < 0.001). A significant increase was also observed in the percentage of truckers who watched street plays (10% to 56%, P < 0.001), and participated in health exhibitions (6% to 35%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, an increase from round 1 to round 2 was observed in the percentage who received condoms (13% to 22%, P < 0.001), and attended one-one counseling (15% to 21%, P < 0.01). Treatment-seeking from program clinics for symptoms related to sexually transmitted infections increased six-fold during this period (16% versus 50%, P < 0.001).ConclusionAdoption of a business model for HIV prevention helped to increase program coverage and service utilization among long-distance truckers. Implementing HIV prevention programs in a highly mobile population such as truckers, in a limited number of high-impact locations, supported by branding of services, could help in saturating coverage and optimum utilization of available resources.

Solar Radiation: Models and Measurement Techniques

In order to grasp the significance of the work accomplished by the author, it is necessary to keep abreast of the present developments in this field. The research work reported in the paper is an attempt to get knowledge to assess the solar energy potential for practical and efficient utilization in India. Our work is centered on estimating realistic values of solar (global and diffuse) radiation on horizontal and tilted surfaces using measured meteorological data and geographical and geometrical parameters for India.

Evaluation of current status and future directions of wind energy in India

Wind energy is the fastest growing electricity generation technology. During the last decade of the 20th century, grid-connected wind capacity worldwide has doubled approximately every 3 years. Climate change is a major challenge to sustainable development worldwide and is increasingly recognized by forward-looking political and business leaders. One of the tasks we are facing is a profound transformation of our energy system over the next few decades of replacing fossil fuels with renewable energies and dramatically increasing energy efficiency. At present, wind energy is receiving considerable attention in the world. In this study, development of wind energy system and the potential of wind energy in India have been investigated. This paper presents the progress made by wind energy in the recent years, and discusses the potential of this technology. The aim of the work is to investigate the wind energy plants and projects in India. It can be concluded from this analysis that wind energy utilization in India and throughout world has sharply increased.

Importance and Status of HBA1C in T2DM and its Indian Perspective

Type-2 diabetes is a common non-communicable disease, especially in developing countries like India, posing a huge economic burden on the family and nation as a whole. Traditionally fasting plasma glucose and OGTT is advocated for diagnosing type-2 diabetes, and HbA1c is often considered for monitoring. Very recently however HbA1c is proposed for diagnosis of HbA1c, acceptance of which is greatly debated. This article describes the evolution of HbA1c from the time of its discovery to the present status of a diagnostic test for type-2 diabetes. We observed that HbA1c has some major advantages over fasting plasma glucose estimation for diagnosing diabetes mellitus, although various biochemical and clinical factors act as a limitation. These limitations can be nullified very often, but the lack of laboratory standardization of method and the cost of testing limits its utility in India. But we conclude that HbA1c can be considered once effective cut off levels are established and laboratories are standardized, as the huge economic burden which diabetes pose in India over comes the cost of HbA1c testing in India.

Maternal Autonomy and Child Health Care Utilization in India

The objective of this study was to examine the association of maternal autonomy with preventive and curative child health care utilization in India. Data from the National Family Health Survey 2005-2006 were used to ascertain association of maternal autonomy (in 3 dimensions: decision making, access to financial resources, freedom of movement) with child's primary immunization status (indicative of preventive health care use) and treatment seeking for child's acute respiratory infection (indicative of curative health care use). Low maternal freedom of movement was associated with higher odds of incomplete primary immunization of the child and for not seeking treatment for the child's acute respiratory infection. Low maternal financial access was associated with increased odds for incomplete primary immunization of the child. The findings show that improvement in autonomy of Indian mothers, especially their freedom of movement, may help improve utilization of health care for their children.

Urban Water Sector Reforms in India: Financing Infrastructure Development Through Market – Based Financing and Private – Public Partnerships

A huge population size, a rapidly growing economy and increasing levels of urbanization, coupled with the dwindling sources of freshwater, have made management of urban water supply one of the most important priorities in the development agenda of India. Water supply in India is mainly a responsibility of the individual state governments which in turn delegate powers to the urban local bodies for provision of water and sanitation services to people at the city level. Water utilities in India are grappling with the problem of poor and aging infrastructure, high levels of unaccounted-for water, intermittent supplies, poor water quality and low tariff rates. Apart from the dwindling flow of funds from the state governments and external donors, the main source of revenues for the utilities is water tariffs collected from consumers; however, the latter is rarely enough to meet even the operation and management expenses. Hence, faced with the challenge of financing water infrastructure development and eliminating the management deficiencies of water utilities, India has been actively involved in reforming its water governance system since 1990s through revision of its laws and policies. Learning from the experiences of the rest of the world, India has been encouraging private sector participation in its water sector as well as developing innovative means of market-based financing mechanisms. This paper aims to explore the water sector reform in India and uses examples from the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to highlight the use of private-public partnerships and pooled financing mechanisms to augment water supply.

Adani Power Initial Public Offering

The case presents the initial public offering of shares by a young utility in India. Students are asked to evaluate the attractiveness of investing in the company’s shares from the investors’ perspective and undertake a valuation analysis

India-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership: Beyond 2014?

The formalisation of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership (ASP) between India and Afghanistan on 4 October 2011 caught instant and worldwide media attention. Coming ahead of the much convoluted US-Afghan strategic partnership, this agreement is seen to be a new twist in the great game. For the Afghans, it is a reaffirmation of the positive role India has played in the reconstruction of their country and future commitment at a time when other countries are talking of downsizing or even complete withdrawal. The partnership agreement, being first of its kind in post-Taliban Afghanistan, is designed to address the challenges of transition as much as prepare ground for preventing the reversal of gains beyond 2014. In highlighting the utility in India’s soft power approach, the paper argues that India’s decade-long aid-only policy has been successful in consolidating its gains through such institutional processes. However, it would be useful to see if India and Afghanistan could navigate through the difficult contours of regional security environment as they are poised to jointly address the challenges of transition and beyond.

MEN IN MATERNAL CARE: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA

Men's supportive stance is an essential component for making women's world better. There are growing debates among policymakers and researchers on the role of males in maternal health programmes, which is a big challenge in India where society is male driven. This study aims to look into the variations and determinants of maternal health care utilization in India and in three demographically and socioeconomically disparate states, namely Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra, by husband's knowledge, attitude, behaviour towards maternal health care and gender violence, using data from the National Family Health Survey III 2005-06 (equivalent to the Demographic and Health Survey in India). Women's antenatal care visits, institutional delivery and freedom in health care decisions are looked into, by applying descriptive statistics and multivariate models. Men's knowledge about pregnancy-related care and a positive gender attitude enhances maternal health care utilization and women's decision-making about their health care, while their presence during antenatal care visits markedly increases the chances of women's delivery in institutions. From a policy perspective, proper dissemination of knowledge about maternal health care among husbands and making the husband's presence obligatory during antenatal care visits will help primary health care units secure better male involvement in maternal health care.

Perspectives on Socially Responsible Innovation and New Product Development utilities in India

Perspectives on Socially Responsible Innovation and New Product Development utilities in India

Efficiency of Urban Water Supply Utilities in India

The two parameters of services output of water utilities are the per capita water available for consumption and the hours for which water is supplied per day. However, water utilities in India differ on the level of these outputs substantially. This paper uses the data for water utilities in 31 cities to analyse their performance in delivery of services. Using data envelopment analysis, a measure of technical efficiency for various utilities is calculated. The results indicate that water utilities can increase the delivery of water on a per capita basis and increase the hours of supply per day by about 18%. Nearly 37% of the increase in services could result from changing the scale of operation. This paper also discusses if the institutional framework within which these utilities operate has implications on their efficiency.

Genetic resources of lentil and its utilization in India

Lentil is recognised as the most nutritious rabi pulse and, with respect to acreage, it ranks next to chickpea. It is grown throughout northern and central India. A large percentage of Indians are vegetarian and lentil has long been part of India's indigenous diet, and is a common source of protein. Of about 60 varieties released in India to date, 13 have been developed by hybridization, mostly from parents not distantly related. The narrow genetic base of the presently cultivated varieties and losses due to biotic and abiotic stress factors remain the main cause of concern. Introgression of genes betweenmicrospermaandmacrospermagroups of lentil from closely related species likeL. culinarissubspp. Orientalisand use of biotechnological tools, wherever necessary, have been recommended by various workers to broaden the genetic base of this crop. Direct selection for grain yield through important component traits such as pods/plant, seeds/pod, number of clusters/plant, harvest index, biological yield, early maturing and breeding for better yield quality have been suggested. Realizing the significance of plant germplasm, special efforts have been made by the national bureau to collect the genetic resources of lentil from different states of India. A large number of accessions were characterised and evaluated for various agro-morphological traits, using the lentil minimal descriptor. The core collection comprising 287 promising accessions recorded variation for seed yield and its important component traits; variation was also observed for important morphological traits, using mutation breeding approaches. These genetic resources of lentil have also been screened for tolerance to several biotic stresses and a few lines showed immunity against rust, blight and fusarium wilt and these have been utilized as donors in cross-breeding programmes. On the other hand, wildLensspecies revealed substantial genetic diversity for phenological and agro-morphological characters, including some important diseases of lentil. From these genetic resources, potential donors of desirable traits have been selected after evaluation and characterization and have been utilized in the genetic improvement of cultivars.