Journey of BSc Integrative Biology student to QS ranked universities
Our bright young minds bring fame and glory to the university from all around the world. Mr Haseesh Rahithya Nandam, from the final year of BSc (Hons) Integrative Biology, has received admission offers to MSc Infection and Immunity course, University College London (QS ranking 8) and MSc Medical and Molecular Virology, The University of Manchester (QS ranking 27).
UCL is rated the top university in the UK for research strength in the most recent Research Excellence Framework. The MSc course that Mr Haseesh has enrolled in primarily focuses on teaching concepts of infection and immunity. It contains course modules such as Molecular Virology, Evolution of Diseases, and Epidemiology.
“I am excited and happy since UCL stands in 8th rank and offers a course I dearly love to study”, says Mr Haseesh. According to him, the selection process for University College London was a piece of cake. The admission requirements were the English language proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL) result, SoP, LoRs, CV, and Grade Card. He has also applied to Imperial College London and is waiting for the admission announcement.
SRM University-AP enables students to become the best version of themselves every single day and work towards their goals. “I am grateful for the support of my professor Dr Sutharsan Govindarajan to work in his lab. There, I got the opportunity to gain experience and learn new things”, says Mr Haseesh. He further thanked the Head of the Department, Prof Jayaseelan Murugaiyan, for his relentless guidance and support.
- Published in Biology News, Departmental News, News, Students Achievements
WHO recognises research article on pandemic detection model
The healthcare system across the globe has been under colossal pressure since the emergence of novel coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has also unveiled some of the greatest gaps in the existing healthcare systems. The research paper authored by Dr Ashok Kumar Pradhan and his PhD student E Bhaskara Santhosh, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, proposing a blockchain-based pandemic detection model was recognised by WHO and the paper was listed in COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease. The paper titled “iBlock: An Intelligent Decentralised Blockchain-based Pandemic Detection and Assisting System” was published in collaboration with Saraju Mohanty, University of North Texas and Dr Venkata Ramana Badarla, Associate Professor, IIT Tirupati. The authors have expressed their deepest gratitude to Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for Grant number TAR/2019/000286 and SRM University-AP for supporting this work.
Abstract of the Research
The recent COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the requirement for a more sophisticated healthcare system and real-time data analytics in the pandemic mitigation process. Moreover, real-time data plays a crucial role in detection and alerting process. Combining smart healthcare systems with accurate real-time information about medical service availability, vaccination, and how the pandemic is spreading can directly affect the quality of life and economy. The existing architecture models become inadequate in handling the pandemic mitigation process in a real-time dataset. This is because, the present models are server-centric and controlled by a single party, hence to manage confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of dataset is a challenging task. Therefore, a decentralised user-centric model is essential, where the CIA of user data can be assured. In this paper, we have suggested a decentralized blockchain-based pandemic detection and assistance system named as (iBlock) that uses robust technologies like hybrid computing and IPFS to support system functionality. Moreover, a pseudo-anonymous personal identity is suggested using H-PCS and cryptography for anonymous data sharing. The distributed data management module guarantees data CIA, security, and privacy using cryptography mechanisms. Furthermore, it delivers useful intelligent information in the form of suggestions and alerts to assist the users. Finally, the iBlock reduces stress on healthcare infrastructure and workers by providing accurate predictions and early warnings using AI/ML technology.
Contributions of the Research
i) Proposes a novel architecture model for pandemic detection and alertness using a blockchain called as “iBlock”. It supports sharing of real-time data utilization.
ii) The proposed system introduces suitable privacy and security mechanisms to cover system-level data privacy and security.
iii) It also suggests a logical combination of blockchain and AI/ML on hybrid computing to support global level requirements during pandemic mitigation and alerting the systems.
Social Implications
The proposed system helps in the early detection of Covid-19 and encourages people to use their health data anonymously in pandemic detection and mitigation process. Moreover, iBlock maintains all crucial data on blockchain for future sustainable healthcare solutions. The majority of pandemic detection and alerting systems are limited to prediction, however iBlock further simplifies the area-labelling to cover area wise mitigation mechanisms. The classification of areas helps the government and healthcare organizations to plan sustainable preventive measures in a real-time scenario. It also helps in prediction of new cases and death rates with the aid of a dedicated AI/ML detection engine module. To motivate the people to share legitimate data, the proposed model even suggests a reward mechanism to influence the participants.
The research investigates the advanced possibilities in smart healthcare architecture to bring down the time and effort for pandemic mitigation activities. Read to know more.
- Published in CSE NEWS, Departmental News, News, Research News
Dr B Lokeshgupta received the Best Paper Award
Studies that open new possibilities into some of the gripping issues in the scientific domain have transformed SRM University-AP into the epicentre of cutting-edge research and investigations. We are proud to announce that Dr B Lokeshgupta, Assistant Professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering has won the Best Paper Award at IEEE Second International Conference on Power, Control and Computing Technologies ICPC²T 2022 held at NIT Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The paper titled “Reliability Improvement of a Radial Distribution System Considering Load Modeling and Energy Management” was co-authored by Dr S Sivasubramani and Mr. Ram Prakash from IIT, Patna. The research gives new insight into energy management and power consumption patterns.
Abstract of the Research
Increasing energy demand and recent advancements in electrical and distributed generation (DG) technology have made power systems complex. Therefore, the reliability assessment is important for efficient planning and operation of distribution networks. The system reliability can be improved with optimal DG integration and energy management schemes. This work mainly studies the impact of optimal DG planning with an energy management scheme on the reliability of radial distribution network. Usually, the reliability of a power system is evaluated using the distribution system reliability indices which are based on load point and customers. The voltage-dependent load model and time-varying load profile for different load classes are included in this work for pragmatic planning. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to find the optimal site and size of DG units and optimal scheduling of the shiftable loads. The proposed model of optimal DG allocation with energy management is evaluated with a case-based analysis. The modified IEEE 33-bus distribution system is considered in this model to demonstrate the improvement of reliability and operational parameters. Simulation results verify the efficacy of the model.
About the Research
In recent decades, a high load growth rate and frequently changing power consumption patterns are observed due to urbanization and industrialization. Also, the increasing penetration of renewable-based DG has caused a significant mismatch between power generation and electricity demand pattern. This mismatch introduces reliability and power quality issues with loss of energy and revenue to the utilities in power systems. Thus, various energy management programs are carried out by utilities to encourage consumers to change their load patterns. This paper proposes a reliability improvement technique in a radial distribution system by optimal planning of disperse generation and energy management programme.
Social Implication
The research proposes an offline algorithm for the efficient planning and operation of radial distribution networks. Simultaneous deployment of distribution generation (DG) and energy management system (EMS) makes the network more reliable compared to just DG allocation. Application of DG and EMS also improves other operational parameters of the network like power loss and voltage profile.
In future, the energy management concept can be extended with the inclusion of neighbourhood power-sharing model in the environment of multiple smart home consumers and prosumers.
- Published in Departmental News, EEE NEWS, News, Research News
Going green is the new fashion
The Department of Commerce is glad to announce that Dr Shailender Singh, Associate Professor, published a paper titled ‘Pro-Environmental Purchase Intention Towards Eco-friendly Apparel: Extension of the theory of planned behavior model’ in the Journal of Global Fashion Marketing published by Taylor and Francis. The research is conducted in collaboration with Dr Nishant Kumar, Amity University, Noida.
Abstract of the Research
In this study, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model is employed with environmental concern, personal moral norms, and perceived consumer effectiveness to better predict the eco-friendly apparel purchase intention of educated Indian youths. Variance-based partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is applied to evaluate the hypothesized model. Findings indicated that perceived behavioural control has a strong significant positive influence on purchase intention, followed by personal moral norms, attitude, and perceived consumer effectiveness. Environmental concern is found to indirectly affect purchase intention through three primary TPB variables and personal moral norms. Multi-group analysis (MGA) examines the moderating effect of perceived consumer effectiveness on an attitude–intention relationship. The highly perceived consumer effectiveness group is shown to have a more consistent attitude-purchase intention relationship as compared to the low-perceived consumer effectiveness group. The study promulgates insights to professionals and policymakers to formulate sustainable marketing strategies and policies to cope with the indigenous market conditions.
The textile industry has emerged as a significant pollution source owing to a rise in carbon footprint, the spike in greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing landfill waste. Sustainable fashion has become a new style statement, and industries are shifting their orientation towards environment-friendly manufacturing. A plethora of research studies have been conducted to explore consumer behaviour intention towards visiting green hotels, green products, organic food, and electric vehicles. Studies have also been done to understand consumer behavioural intention toward sustainability in apparel, sustainability, social media communication, ethical fashion consumption behaviour, and eco-friendly apparel in developed countries. However, the paucity of research studies examining the influential factors affecting purchase intention of eco-friendly apparel in a developing economy makes this study more imperative.
This study furnishes the problem by examining the eco-friendly apparel purchase intention of the educated Indian youth in the sustainable apparel framework by investigating the potential of three core predictors of purchase intention in the theory of the planned behaviour model. Furthermore, the study extends the model by adding three more variables: environmental concern (EC), personal moral norm (PMN), and perceived consumer effectiveness (PCE). Moreover, this study also examines the PCE as a moderator between consumer attitude and eco-friendly apparel purchase intention (PI), which adds to the existing body of knowledge. The study promulgates insights to professionals and policymakers to formulate sustainable marketing strategies and policies to cope with the indigenous market conditions.
Based on the proposed extended framework, the study disseminates several practical implications to attain sustainability in fashion:
(i) The strong PBC influence on apparel purchase intention would facilitate marketing professionals to support consumers with sustainable apparel choices through clear visibility, long-term benefits, and striking design with a vast form of offerings, sustainability certification, and ease of access.
(ii) It has also been observed that youth’s moral obligation to behave ethically no longer depends on social pressure. Consumers may feel that the discussion on pro-environmental intention is not having social acceptance. Policymakers must bring opinion leaders to pitch the benefit of using organic clothing so that it can be discussed socially and develop suitable sustainable purchase intent.
(iii) Marketers should use vivid marketing communication tools to educate customers about the attribute-based benefits of organic apparel and the technological difference which makes it different from fast fashion.
(iv) Policymakers should sensitize people about the deteriorating environment and try to teach pro-environmental intent through green info-commercials, organic apparel labels, socio-environmental themes in products, and affordable pricing strategies.
(v) Marketers may adopt various media platforms to showcase how individual-specific green behaviour is self-sufficient in combating environmental problems. This would increase the PCE level among people, further leading to an attitudinal shift.
The Indian government can launch an awareness campaign based on the theme of environment protection through individual contributions and urge citizens to accept green as a socially accepted norm.
- Published in Commerce Current Happenings, Departmental News, News, Research News