Youth participation in Democratic Politics: Impediments and prospects

Balaganapathi Devarakonda,Nidhi Jarwal 한국외국어대학교 인도연구소 2022 남아시아연구 Vol.27 No.4

Democracy is the most preferred form of government in the contemporary world as it facilitates citizens' active political participation, which is considered its strength. The fundamental definition of democracy, "the rule of people," highlights that every citizen, irrespective of social, gender, or cultural differences, is both the ruler and the ruled simultaneously. One of the significant segments of the population of every democratic state is its youth. As youth is considered the country’s future, possessing a substantial segment of youth is ideal for a vibrant, dynamic, and developed country. Today youth is doing wonders in most fields like sports, entrepreneurship, information technology, administration, and so on, but remain underrepresented in politics in many world countries. Therefore, this paper analyses the place of youth at different forms of political participation in democracy as they represent the future of national and global politics. The paper aims to study the value of youth in the politics of democratic states and to estimate the hurdles in their political participation, such as individual obstacles, social and cultural concerns, problems of political institutions, and issues of civic education. To make a long-term difference, young people should have adequate representation in political institutions, processes, and decision making. The methodologies that this paper adopts are analytical and exploratory in assessing the place of youth in political participation and explicating the causes for their underrepresentation in politics. It provides a citizen's perspective to understanding politics and political participation in democracy. It assesses various forms of political participation and analyses youth participation in them. The basic argument of this paper is youth is indifferent and apathetic to politics. They are not involved in formal political participation, so they are absent in formal politics, political institutions, and decision-making. The need to make youth aware of their rights and duties and improve their representation in politics in a meaningful way is stressed in the discussion. The research questions for this paper are: What are youth's place and role in political participation? Are young people indifferent to politics? Why do young people not get opportunities to be involved in formal politics? What are the reasons for the underrepresentation of youth in politics? This study responds to these questions and provides some suggestions to improve the political participation of youth in democracy. This paper is structured in three sections. The first discusses ‘the meaning, role, and forms of political participation,’ and the second, with ‘youth and political participation’ to analyse the place of youth in politics and discuss reasons for improving the same. The paper’s third section deals with the obstacles youth face in political participation, followed by a conclusion that provides suggestions for strengthening youth participation in democracy.

MODEL-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM DESIGN IN A UREA-SCR AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM BASED ON NH3 SENSOR FEEDBACK

M. DEVARAKONDA,G. PARKER,J. H. JOHNSON,V. STROTS 한국자동차공학회 2009 International journal of automotive technology Vol.10 No.6

This paper presents preliminary control system simulation results in a urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system based on NH3 sensor feedback. A four-state control-oriented lumped parameter model is used to analyze the controllability and observability properties of the urea-SCR plant. A model-based estimator is designed via simulation and a control system is developed with design based on a sliding mode control framework. The control system based on NH3 sensor feedback is analyzed via simulation by comparing it to a control system developed based on NOx sensor feedback. Simulation results show that the NH3 sensor-based strategy performs very similarly in comparison to a NOx sensor-based strategy. The control system performance metrics for NOx index, urea index, urea usage, and NH3 slip suggest that the NOx sensor can be a potential alternative to a NOx sensor for urea-SCR control applications. This paper presents preliminary control system simulation results in a urea-selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system based on NH3 sensor feedback. A four-state control-oriented lumped parameter model is used to analyze the controllability and observability properties of the urea-SCR plant. A model-based estimator is designed via simulation and a control system is developed with design based on a sliding mode control framework. The control system based on NH3 sensor feedback is analyzed via simulation by comparing it to a control system developed based on NOx sensor feedback. Simulation results show that the NH3 sensor-based strategy performs very similarly in comparison to a NOx sensor-based strategy. The control system performance metrics for NOx index, urea index, urea usage, and NH3 slip suggest that the NOx sensor can be a potential alternative to a NOx sensor for urea-SCR control applications.

Hinduism in Thailand

Balaganapathi Devarakonda 한국외국어대학교 인도연구소 2018 남아시아연구 Vol.24 No.2

My endeavor in this paper is to explore the presences and absences of Hinduism in contemporary Thailand. After addressing the methodological and conceptual difficulties in understanding ‘Hinduism’, I provide a brief glance of the history to give a bird’s eye view of the place of Hinduism in Thailand. Subsequently, I discuss the dynamics of the religious scape of Thailand as it is available in the form of heuristic models presented as ‘syncretic, compartmentlist and hybrid’ in the recent academic debates which have enriched the discourse. We understand that the discourse is thereby indirectly limiting any possibility of making a generalization about the presence or absence of any particular religion. Finally, I provide the dynamics of Hinduism in contemporary Thailand while interrogating the proclamation of Justin McDaniel that “there is no Hinduism in Thailand” by pointing out the conceptual limitations of his approach. The study limits itself to the contemporary academic landscape of Thai religions.

Development of a paper-based electrochemical immunosensor using an antibody-single walled carbon nanotubes bio-conjugate modified electrode for label-free detection of foodborne pathogens

Bhardwaj, Jyoti,Devarakonda, Sivaranjani,Kumar, Suveen,Jang, Jaesung Elsevier Sequoia 2017 Sensors and actuators. B Chemical Vol.253 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The need for low-cost, sensitive, and reliable sensors for the detection of whole bacterial cells in food samples without pre-treatment has been increasing. Outbreaks of foodborne diseases can be severe, especially in developing countries; however, most bio-detection tools are unaffordable. Here, we have developed a rapid and low-cost paper-based electrochemical immunosensor for label-free detection of <I>Staphylococcus aureus</I>, using antibody (Ab)-single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bio-conjugates. Anti-<I>S. aureus</I> antibodies were covalently attached onto the SWCNTs, using the <I>N</I>-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-<I>N</I>’-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride/<I>N</I>-hydroxysuccinimide coupling reagent. These Ab-SWCNT bio-conjugates were then immobilized on the working electrode, and the presence of <I>S. aureus</I> was detected by analyzing the change in peak current following antigen-antibody complex formation. Differential pulse voltammetry was performed with a bacterial concentration ranging from 10 to 10<SUP>7</SUP> colony forming units (CFU) mL<SUP>−1</SUP>. A selectivity assay using <I>Escherichia coli</I> B<I>, Bacillus subtilis</I>, and <I>S. epidermidis</I> (to examine cross-reactivity) showed that the sensor was specific to <I>S. aureus.</I> Moreover, this immunosensor showed a good linear relationship (R<SUP>2</SUP> =0.976) between the increase in peak current and logarithmic <I>S. aureus</I> concentration, with a rapid detection time (30min) and a limit of detection of 13CFUmL<SUP>−1</SUP> in spiked milk samples. This low-cost immunosensor can be used for rapid detection of pathogens in actual food samples with high sensitivity and specificity.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> A sensitive paper based electrochemical sensor for label-free detection of bacteria in food samples is presented. </LI> <LI> Ab-SWCNT conjugate was used to decrease the functionalization steps and increase the robustness of the immunosensors. </LI> <LI> A detection limit of 13 CFUmL-1 in spiked milk samples was obtained with rapid detection time (∼30min). </LI> <LI> A highly linear behavior and high specificity were observed. </LI> </UL> </P>

Novel Mononuclear Ruthenium(II) Compounds in Cancer Therapy

Anchuri, Shyam Sunder,Thota, Sreekanth,Yerra, Rajeshwar,Devarakonda, Krishna Prasad,Dhulipala, Satyavati Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

The present study was conducted to evaluate in vivo anticancer activity of two novel mononuclear ruthenium(II) compounds, namely Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)$_2$(2-nitro phenyl thiosemicarbazone)$Cl_2$(Compound $R_1$) and Ru (1,10-phenanthroline)$_2$(2-hydroxy phenyl thiosemicarbazone)$Cl_2$(Compound $R_2$) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) mice and in vitro cytotoxic activity against IEC-6 (small intestine) cell lines and Artemia salina nauplii using MTT [(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)] and BLT [brine shrimp lethality] assays respectively. The tested ruthenium compounds at the doses 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight showed promising biological activity especially in decreasing the tumor volume, viable ascites cell counts and body weights. These compounds prolonged the life span (% ILS), mean survival time (MST) of mice bearing-EAC tumor. The results for in vitro cytotoxicity against IEC-6 cells showed the ruthenium compound $R_2$ to have significant cytotoxic activity with a $IC_{50}$ value of $20.0{\mu}g/mL$ than $R_1$ ($IC_{50}=78.8{\mu}g/mL$) in the MTT assay and the $LC_{50}$ values of $R_1$ and $R_2$ compounds were found to be 38.3 and $43.8{\mu}g/mL$ respectively in the BLT assay. The biochemical and histopathological results revealed that there was no significant hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity associated with the ruthenium administration to mice.

(${\beta}$-Galactoside Prodrugs of Doxorubicin for Application in Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy/prodrug Mono Therapy

Devalapally, Harikrishna,Navath, Raghavendra Swamy,Yenamandra, Venkateshwarlu,Akkinepally, RaghuRam Rao,Devarakonda, Rama Krishna 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.6

Anthracycline antibiotics, particularly doxorubicin and daunorubicin, have been used extensively in the treatment of human malignancies. However cardiotoxicity and multidrug resistance are significant problems that limit the clinical efficacy of such agents. Rational design to avoid these side effects includes strategies such as drug targeting and prodrug synthesis. Described here are the synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of the enzymatically activated two new prodrugs (6 & 11) of doxorubicin. These prodrugs were designed as potential candidates for selective chemotherapy in ADEPT or PMT strategies. They are constituted of a galactose moiety, a spacer and the cytotoxic drug and they differ by the type of spacer. The prodrugs were stable in a buffer, and the in vitro studies showed good detoxification and hydrolysis kinetics. As prodrug 11 was readily hydrolyzed, this could be a valuable candidate for further development.

β-Galactoside Prodrugs of Doxorubicin for Application in Antibody Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy/Prodrug MonoTherapy

HariKrishna Devalapally,Raghavendra Swamy Navath,Venkateshwarlu Yenamandra,RaghuRam Rao Akkinepally,Rama Krishna Devarakonda 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.6

Anthracycline antibiotics, particularly doxorubicin and daunorubicin, have been used extensively in the treatment of human malignancies. However cardiotoxicity and multidrug resistance are significant problems that limit the clinical efficacy of such agents. Rational design to avoid these side effects includes strategies such as drug targeting and prodrug synthesis. Described here are the synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of the enzymatically activated two new prodrugs (6 & 11) of doxorubicin. These prodrugs were designed as potential candidates for selective chemotherapy in ADEPT or PMT strategies. They are constituted of a galactose moiety, a spacer and the cytotoxic drug and they differ by the type of spacer. The prodrugs were stable in a buffer, and the in vitro studies showed good detoxification and hydrolysis kinetics. As prodrug 11 was readily hydrolyzed, this could be a valuable candidate for further development.