Showing papers by "Government of India published in 2004"

Solution‐Precipitation of Fine Powders of Barium Titanate and Strontium Titanate

Abstract: Hydrolytic reactions of metal alkoxides offer a broad range of possibilities for their use in the preparation of ceramic powders. This paper reports a unique and novel process to prepare fine powders of BaTiO 3 and SrTiO 3 from stable precursor solutions by carefully controlling the pH and temperature. This simple route offers good control of stoichiometry and the powders are agglomerate-free with fine particles of size 0.06-0.1 μm and were well sintered at 1200° and 1350°C, respectively. The dielectric properties of the dense ceramics are also reported. The formation aspects of these perovskite phases are also discussed.

A developing country perspective on vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis

Abstract: When the Expanded Programme on Immunization was established and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) was introduced for developing countries to use exclusively, national leaders of public health had no opportunity to make an informed choice between OPV and the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV). Today, as progress is made towards the goal of global eradication of poliomyelitis attributable to wild polioviruses, all developing countries where OPV is used face the risk of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). Until recently, awareness of VAPP has been poor and quantitative risk analysis scanty but it is now well known that the continued use of OPV perpetuates the risk of VAPP. Discontinuation or declining immunization coverage of OPV will increase the risk of emergence of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) that re-acquire wild virus-like properties and may cause outbreaks of polio. To eliminate the risk of cVDPV, either very high immunization coverage must be maintained as long as OPV is in use, or IPV should replace OPV. Stopping OPV without first achieving high immunization coverage with IPV is unwise on account of the possibility of emergence of cVDPV. Increasing numbers of developed nations prefer IPV, and manufacturing capacities have not been scaled up, so its price remains prohibitively high and unaffordable by developing countries, where, in addition, large-scale field experience with IPV is lacking. Under these circumstances, a policy shift to increase the use of IPV in national immunization programmes in developing countries is a necessary first step; once IPV coverage reaches high levels (over 85%), the withdrawal of OPV may begin.

Reforming the Governance of the International Monetary Fund

Abstract: Democratising the governance of the IMF will significantly improve the institution's capacity to manage crises. The implementation of a democratic framework requires a reform of the Fund's 'quota regime,' which mediates the distribution of voting power. An optimal reform of the quota regime that reflects the increased weight of emerging economies requires matching the number of policy objectives with the number of policy instruments. Presently, there is a classic 'assignment problem' whereby one policy instrument (i.e., the quota regime) is aimed at achieving three objectives (i.e., member contribution obligations, access rights, and voting rights). Three different instruments need to be adopted. Member contributions should be based on member's capacity to pay; access to resources should be based on need; and voting rights should balance the rights of creditors with the principle of sovereign equality. These reforms will enhance the Fund's legitimacy and accountability as a forum for global economic policy-making.

One-Pot Synthesis of a Novel Water-Soluble Fullerene-Core Starlike Macromolecule via Successive Michael and Nucleophilic Addition Reaction

Abstract: Successive Michael and nucleophilic addition reaction of an α,β-unsaturated ester (n-butyl acrylate) with fullerenol in one pot leading to the formation of a novel water-soluble hydroxy ether terminated fullerene-core starlike macromolecule was classically demonstrated for the first time in fullerene chemistry. FTIR, UV−vis, and TGA techniques were employed for characterization. The chemical attachment of acrylate units to the fullerene core was clearly indicated from the disappearance of typical FTIR peaks of fullerenol (at 1593.2, 1381.2, and 1068 cm-1) in the product. 1,2-Michael addition followed by nucleophilic addition reaction to the carbonyl group in acid-catalyzed reaction was monitored by the disappearance of typical alkene and carbonyl FTIR peaks of the parent acrylate and the appearance of alkane C−H stretching peaks (2964 cm-1) and hydroxy peak (3426 cm-1) in the product. The appearance of two absorption bands in the UV region, coupled with IR and TGA data, strongly indicate the formation of ...

Integration of linear programming and a watershed-scale hydrologic model for proposing an optimized land-use plan and assessing its impact on soil conservation—A case study of the Nagwan watershed in the Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, India

Abstract: The present investigation was an attempt to develop a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for a test Nagwan watershed situated in the Damodar–Barakar catchment in India, the second most seriously eroded area in the world, for not only estimating sediment yields under prevailing resource management systems but also designing a linear programming (LP)-based optimized land-use plan for soil loss reduction in the test watershed. The proposed SDSS was validated on 9 years (1981–1983, 1985–1989, and 1991) of sediment yield data for the test watershed. This showed that the SDSS could mimic the annual dynamics of the total sediment yields at the test watershed outlet with a correlation coefficient of 0.65, model efficiency coefficient of 0.70, mean relative error of −17.97%, and root mean square prediction error of 9.63 t ha−1. It could also be used as an efficient tool for assessing sediment yields from different parts of the test watershed and for designing a linear programming (LP)-based optimized land-use ...

Land use changes and trends in Human Appropriation of Above Ground Net Primary Production (HANPP) in India (1961–98)

Abstract: Land use change has the potential to influence energy flows, standing crop and biomass turnover at a variety of scales. To understand and quantify the impact of land use change on natural systems, interdisciplinary approaches and concepts linking biophysical and socioeconomic factors are needed. One such approach for analysing the socioeconomic energy flows from land use changes is Human Appropriated Net Primary Production (HANPP). HANPP is defined as the difference between the net primary production of potential vegetation and the actual net primary production remaining in vegetation after harvest. In this study, we used HANPP to quantify the energy flows consequent upon land use/land cover change from 1961 to 1998 in India. Data from the Food and Agricultural Organization Statistics (FAOSTAT) covering land use/land cover estimates, crop production, harvest and fertilizer use data have been used to analyse the trends in HANPP. Land use changes between 1961 and 1998 indicate a small increase in agricultural areas from 58.2% to 60.8% and in forest and woodland areas from 19.0% to 23.2%. Actual above ground net primary production of vegetation increased from 1280.58 to 1818.23 Tg, an increase of approximately 1.4 times over 37 years. Although population increased exponentially, human appropriation of photosynthetic products did not rise as much due to increases in forest cover and agricultural production. Although the HANPP concept is a useful approach to analyse the trends in photosynthetic products brought about by land use changes and harvesting, more robust indicators are needed to understand the impacts associated with these changes. We discuss the relevance of the HANPP analysis results by focusing on land use/land cover change and exploring the inter-linkages between energy flows and environment.

Rapid identification and quantification of chlorpheniramine maleate or pheniramine maleate in pharmaceutical preparations by thin-layer chromatography-densitometry.

Abstract: Thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometry was used to separate, identify, and quantitate chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) and pheniramine maleate (PM) when present in combination with other drugs in pharmaceutical preparations of tablets, syrups, eye and ear drops, etc. CPM or PM was extracted (tablets, capsules, etc.) or diluted (liquid preparations, if needed) with 80% ethanol and isolated from other ingredients by TLC on silica gel G using cyclohexane-chloroform-methanol-diethylamine (4.5 + 4.0 + 0.5 + 1.0, v/v) as the mobile phase. Separated CPM and PM were detected under shortwave ultraviolet light and quantitated by scanning densitometry at 260 nm. Recoveries of CPM and PM were 100.09+/-0.77% and 100.09+/-0.87%, respectively.

Measurement of single-pass wavefront distortion of optical components with phase shifting Jamin interferometer

Abstract: A Jamin interferometer-based arrangement for measurement of single-pass wavefront distortion, introduced by optical components such as laser rods, parallel plates, optical windows, etc., is discussed. Phase shifting interferometry is applied using a wedge-type phase shifter. Fabrication techniques for the Jamin plates and wedge phase shifter are described. Results are shown for a laser rod. Advantages and disadvantages of the configuration are discussed.

Process for the manufacture of bio-release iron-manganese fertilizer

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the preparation of water insoluble, bio-release iron-manganese fertilizer which comprises, heating phosphoric acid with a mixture of (i) source of iron oxide such as goethite and hematite, (ii) pyrolusite and (iii) one or more basic compound(s) selected from oxide(s) or carbonate(s) of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, (b) neutralisation followed by drying and pulverisation.

The Stakeholder Model for Water Resource Projects

Abstract: The water resource development projects in India have been facing problems due to immense time and cost overruns. There is also the risk of taking a skewed path when planners and policy makers tend to ignore the existence of less-vocal and non-vocal entities. This could be due to a lack of a proper framework for understanding the nature and dimensions of the competing, conflicting, and varied demands both by the adversely affected and the beneficiary entities. This calls for identifying various stakeholders of the water resource projects so as to develop a stakeholder's model which is expected to not only help categorize the stakeholders along the lines of beneficial and adverse effects but also to gauge their capacity to influence change in the course of the projects.The stakeholders can be defined as individuals or group of entities who may be affected by the water resource project during its conception, construction, and operation who, in turn, may also influence the future course of the project. For i...

Biodiversity Information System for North East India

Abstract: Biodiversity is the variety and variability of flora and fauna in an ecosystem. Articulated into genes, species, and ecosystem, it provides the biological plasticity needed by life on the earth to adapt changes. As we approach towards the forthcoming century, the earth's diversity of life is increasingly at risk through a combination of mostly human induced factors leading to erosion of genetic resources, extinction of species and collapse of ecological systems. Insitu conservation, biotechnology tools for conservation and prospecting, species habitat relationship and following evolutionary process of speciation are some of the challenges. India being one of the mega biodiversity centers of the world is also known for its traditional knowledge of conservation. The varied regions of the country, with unique floristic and faunal richness, their vastness, endemism, heterogeneity and also inaccessibility of large areas have necessitated creation of authentic baseline database on biodiversity. With th...

Studies on satellite and ground-based measurements of aerosols over urban environment

Abstract: EP/TOMS satellite-derived aerosol index (AI) data have been analyzed over typical tropical urban environment corresponding to Hyderabad, India to study seasonal and annual distribution of UV-absorbing aerosols. Observations reveal that UV-absorbing aerosol loading is highly seasonal. During the years 1987, 1991 and 1992 high concentration of UV-absorbing aerosols into the atmosphere over Hyderabad region has been observed. UV-absorbing aerosols are high during summer period. Ground-based measurements of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and satellite-derived AI showed good correlation with AOD at 380 nm .

The prevention of money laundering in India

Abstract: Outlines legislation in a country which was one of the first in the world to introduce anti‐money laundering legislation, a wartime measure in 1939, with later foreign exchange control laws up to 1973; more recent laws include the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. Summarises the provision of these two laws as they cover the offence of money laundering and its punishment; attachment, adjudication and confiscation; composition and powers of the adjudicating authorities; obligations of financial institutions and intermediaries, powers of summons and survey, search and seizure, the appellate tribunal, special courts, officers to assist in inquiry, and mutual assistance between India and other countries over information exchange, investigation, confiscation of illegally acquired property etc.

Tea Pests and their Management with Bio-Pesticides

Abstract: The increasing demand for higher productivity of tea results in its intensive cultivation, which increases the pressure from insect pests on this crop. Chemical pesticides, irrespective of their toxicity status, are being extensively applied. Their various detrimental effects become apparent in the ecosystem including residues in made tea. Bio-control agents such as parasites, predators, and fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens have strong potential to act as effective alternatives to chemical pesticides. In this paper, an attempt has been made to compile all available information on biocontrol research on tea around the world as well as in India. This information will not only help to focus the possibility of using these agents against tea pests, but also will identify the gap of biopesticidal research for designing the future thrusts. Department of Biotechnology Government of India has played a catalytic role and supported several projects on the management of tea pests and diseases in Indian tea.

Forest fires monitoring using envisat-aatsr data

Abstract: Forests over Indian region are fire prone during summer season and effective means for monitoring such events is important. Satellite data with its repetitive and wide area coverage provides data sets required for monitoring such events. The advances in sensor technology and multi-satellite systems have improved capability for monitoring such events. The present study addresses forest fires monitoring using night time data sets of ENVISAT-AATSR data over Indian Region. The results of the study indicated that region specific algorithms are required for forest fire detection as soils in tropical regions have higher temperatures during night time.