800 research outputs found
How do variations in Urban Heat Islands in space and time influence household water use? The case of Phoenix, Arizona
No full textabstract: This paper explores how urbanization, through its role in the evolution of Urban Heat Island (UHI), affects residential water consumption. Using longitudinal data and drawing on a mesoscale atmospheric model, we examine how variations in surface temperature at the census tract level have affected water use in single family residences in Phoenix, Arizona. Results show that each Fahrenheit rise in nighttime temperature increases water consumption by 1.4%. This temperature effect is found to vary significantly with lot size and pool size. The study provides insights into the links between urban form and water use, through the dynamics of UHI.Corresponding Author:
Rimjhim M. Aggarwal
Arizona State University
[email protected]
Caste, religion and power: an Indian case study
No full textReviews the book "Caste, Religion and Power: An Indian Case Study," by Pratap C. Aggarwal.; Reviews the book "Caste, Religion and Power: An Indian Case Study," by Pratap C. Aggarwal
Data mining : the textbook / Charu C. Aggarwal.
No full textcomputer bookfair2016Includes bibliographical references and index.xxix, 734 pages
Impact of a one-minute preceptor on learning of pulmonary medicine postgraduates: Perceptions and review of literature
No full textContext: Clinical reasoning and patient management skills are integral part of postgraduate (PG) medical education. Often, traditional teaching practices and paucity of time hinder this aspect of a resident's development. One-minute preceptor (OMP) is a learner-centered model that might improve PG learning. Aims: The study was conducted to introduce OMP as an educational tool for pulmonary medicine PG students and to evaluate the perceptions of residents and faculty on its utility. Subjects and Methods: Thirteen pulmonary medicine PG residents and six faculty members participated in this study. After initial sensitization about the teaching tool, thirty OMP sessions were conducted in the outpatient department with each resident undergoing a minimum of two sessions. Resident and faculty perceptions on this process were evaluated through validated questionnaires that were graded on a Likert scale. Results: All 13 residents perceived that OMP can improve their clinical reasoning skills as well as increase their motivation for further study (average Likert score for both: 4.69 + 0.48). However, 53.8% (n = 7) of residents perceived that the time devoted to OMP session was inadequate. Faculty also perceived that OMP was an effective teaching method and advocated its routine use in PG teaching. Conclusion: Both residents and faculty perceived OMP as an effective teaching tool in outpatient teaching of PG residents
Decoding "Public authority" under the RTI act: a comment on Subhash Chandra Aggarwal v. Indian national congress
No full textThe June, 2013 order of the Central Information Commission ("CIC") in Subhash Chandra Aggarwal v. Indian National Congress which brought political parties within the scope of the Right to Information ("RTI") Act, has highlighted some issues regarding the drafting and interpretation of the RTI Act. The CIC held that the six national political parties which were respondents
in the case, have the ingredients that qualify them as "public authorities" within the meaning of section 2(h) of the RTI Act. In this comment the author argues that the reasoning for holding what constitutes substantial financing that makes a body a "public authority" is not clear and the interpretation of the definition of "public authority" is inconsisten
Evaluation of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a tertiary care hospital: A case–control study
No full textContext: Irreversible airway obstruction is important sequelae of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) that might contribute to a significant proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). India has the highest TB burden in the world. However, there are limited data on the prevalence and presentation of TB-associated COPD from this region. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of TB-associated COPD among COPD patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Settings and Design: It was a case–control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: Stable COPD patients presenting to chest OPD and an equal number of healthy controls were enrolled. COPD patients were subjected to detailed clinical evaluation and lung function test. History of pulmonary TB was evaluated from both groups through self-reporting and/or checking previous records. TB-associated COPD patients were identified and their prevalence and distinguishing features evaluated. Results: Of 74 COPD patients, 24 (32.4%) had previous history of pulmonary TB. The odds of having a previous TB in COPD patients was 3.96 (95% confidence interval: 1.64–9.55; P = 0.002) as compared to controls. Patients with TB-associated COPD were younger (P = 0.02), had lesser pack-years of smoking (P = 0.027) but had more number of hospitalizations (P = 0.01). The airflow limitation was similar in both groups. Conclusions: TB-associated COPD constitutes a significant proportion of COPD patients. It is a distinct clinical entity with preponderance in young. It may be associated with frequent hospitalizations as compared to other COPD patients
Impact of tariff reduction on exports: A quantitative assessment of Indian exports to US
No full textThis paper quantitatively assesses likely changes in market access opportunities for Indian exports owing to tariff reductions by the USA. The study identifies particular products for India at the ISIC 4-digit level of disaggregation, which could be considered tariff sensitive. Regression analysis of the relationship between MFN tariff rates and India's exports to the US was used to assess in quantitative terms the likely impact of tariff reduction that may be agreed in the Doha Round. This analysis suggests that tariff cuts are not expected to benefit India's exports to the US in a major way. With the full implementation of the Chairman's formula for tariff cuts, increase in India's exports to the US would amount to 1.2 or 0.6 depending on the value of the B coefficient in theChairman's formula. These findings are in all likelihood substantially due to the tariff diversion effect of NAFTA preferences in favour of suppliers in Mexico, which is a competing country in many traditional items. It is expected that reduction of MFN tariff would alleviate the trade diversion effect of the NAFTA.The study has also attempted to decompose changes in India's total exports due to tariff reductions in the US into the competitive and market effects. The analysis suggests that the increase in India's exports would be mainly due to the competitive effect. This leads the author to conclude that it is crucial for India to improve its competitiveness vis-a-vis its competitors in different markets.
Pathways to Social Transformation: Delhi and the Human Right to Housing
No full textabstract: The objective of this study was to better understand promising pathways to realizing human rights norms in the context of rapidly developing cities, and the role that the courts play in this process. Scholars have already started to ask these larger questions of social transformation; however, there continues to be a need for further research since the answers are vast and context-dependent. In order to contribute to these larger conversations, this project examined a key social right in Delhi \u2014 the right to housing. This study relied on interviews with key actors in Delhi's housing sector as well as a review of housing rights cases in the Delhi High Court in order to understand what mechanisms various actors utilize in the context of Delhi to realize the human right to housing on the ground. These two types of data were compared and contrasted to past research on human rights scholarship, law and social literature, and studies on urbanization. Two frameworks from these bodies of knowledge, the MAPs framework developed by Haglund and Aggarwal (2011) and the triangular framework created by Gauri and Brinks (2008), were utilized in particular to analyze interview and court data. Overall, this study found that the courts in India are advocates for housing rights, but that their advocacy is often limited, cautious, and influenced by a pattern of bias against populations without legal title to land. This study also found that communities and their allies are often more successful in realizing the right to housing when they combine litigation with other non-legal social change mechanisms. Consequently, it appears that the role of the courts in realizing ESR in Delhi is both complicated and limited, which means that pathways toward ESR realization are more promising when they incorporate non-legal mechanisms alongside court action
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