Making e-government work: Adopting the network approach

Much of what was promised has not been delivered by e-government. This necessitates a better understanding of the critical factors necessary for making e-government work. While a number of factors are known to cause e-government failure, this knowledge has not translated into greater success in e-government implementation. This suggests that other, more deep-rooted issues may have remained unaddressed. The nature of modern governance implies that e-government should be looked upon as a network. Application of network concepts like the politics of partner selection, achievement of network goals, institutionalisation processes, network structuring and incentive design can make e-government projects more realistic. We analyse three projects in India based on these issues and argue how a network approach could lead to success of such initiatives. In addition, we show that adoption of a process focus can help in identifying the appropriate partners and facilitate other network processes.     

A Study of Microalbuminuria (MAU) and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Levels in Diabetic and Hypertensive Subjects

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) is growing worldwide. Both lead to nephropathy if not controlled effectively. Microalbuminuria (MAU) is recognized as an early predictor for nephropathy. Additionally, the timely detection of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is also considered to be an important prognostic factor for diabetic nephropathies. Hence, screening for the early detection of MAU and AGEs would be an useful and relatively inexpensive laboratory test for early clinical diagnosis for the incidence of nephropathy in these diseases. This study was conducted in DM, HTN and pregnancy induced hypertensive (PIH) subjects. MAU and N^ε-Carboxymethyllysine (CML) levels were estimated by in-house RIA kits in the patient groups and controls, while the total AGEs level in serum was determined by ELISA. The levels of MAU, CML and AGE-BSA were observed to be significantly higher in DM, HTN and PIH subjects compared to controls (p < 0.001). Increased serum CML and AGEs levels in DM, HTN and PIH subjects indicated ongoing glycemic damage and their susceptibility to develop renal complications.     

Role of oxidative stress in ethanol induced germ cell apoptosis — An experimental study in rats

The study was undertaken to evaluate the possible involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of ethanol induced testicular atrophy in rats. Adult male rats were orally administered ethanol at a dose of 1.6 g/kg body weight/day for four weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the rats were sacrificed using anesthetic ether. Testes were removed and weighed. Apoptosis was studied by using the Feulgen reaction on 5 μ thin paraffin sections of testis. Testicular homogenate was prepared and centrifuged. The supernatant was used for the estimation of extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense status. There was significant reduction in body weight: and in testicular weight and diameter in ethanol treated rats. Extent of germ cell apoptosis was significantly high in ethanol treated rats. Ethanol treated rats showed significantly high tissue TBARS level and glutathione S-transferase activity; and low tissue ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities. Chronic ethanol administration resulted in high oxidative stress in the testes either due to increased extent of lipid peroxidation or due to decreased antioxidant defenses, and thereby induces germ cell apoptosis leading to testicular atrophy.     

Transfer of indigenous technology—some indian cases

Based on questionaire responses from clients who have taken over indiginous technologies for commercialisation, an attempt has been made to identify and assess the relative magnitude and impact of the positive and negative factors influencing technology trnsfers. Parameters dealt with in this study relate to: (a) problems of time-lag; (b) the status, nature and extent of development of technologies; (c) sources of help in the commercial implementation of the technologies; (d) qualitative aspects of factors, such as plant design, operational difficulties, market demand and post-trnsfer assistance given by the transferring institutions; (e) capital investment needed for commercialisation of the technologies;p and (f) the general reaction of the clients to the technology transferred. The conclusions deal with minimising time-consuming procedural interlinks, selection of clients, avoidable managerial lapses in project selection, improving and augmenting the design and engineering capability of the transferring institutions, and uniform wxtension of post-transfer services to the clients.     

On Constitutive Equations and Dimensional Analysis

A method of obtaining a system of partial differential equations from the invariance of a constitutive function under some restrictions of a continuous group of transformations is shown. Using the theory of partial differential equations, a set of independent solutions and dependence relationship is derived. Group theory technique is employed relative to dimensional analysis to show how the transformation from one unit system to another results in a relationship among different dimensional variables. An alternative proof of Buckingham's Pi-theorem is presented.     

Evidence for oxidative stress in osteoarthritis

Evidence of increased oxidative stress in patients of osteoarthritis in comparison with healthy control subjects was investigated by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), vitamin C, reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocytes. It was observed that osteoarthritis patients were more susceptible to oxidative damage than controls as evident from increased TBARS and decreased ascorbic acid, GSH, catalase and GPx in erythrocytes. Significant increase in SOD activity found in patients might be an adaptive response. With the understanding of the role of antioxidants in arthritis, it is becoming increasingly clear that these agents seem to be beneficial in osteoarthritis.     

Polymorphisms of CYP1A1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 Loci as the Genetic Predispositions of Oral Cancers and Other Oral Pathologies: Tobacco and Alcohol as Risk Modifiers

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of tobacco require activation by phase I enzymes, such as cytochrome-P4501A1 (CYP1A1) to become an ultimate carcinogen, which are subjected to detoxification by phase II enzymes, especially glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). A study was designed to find whether genetic predisposition are risk modifiers of oral pathologies. The study included 102 cases with Oral Cancers (OCs), 68 cases with nonmalignant pathologies, 100 cases as control group. GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased risk of OCs but not with benign pathologies. Deleted GSTT1 was associated with all pathologies. Both m1m2 and m2m2 polymorphisms of CYP1A1 were associated with oral pathologies.     

Improving the educational experience of children and young people in public care: a Scottish perspective

The context for this paper relates to the policy and practice implications of efforts to achieve social justice for Scotland’s 12,000 children and young people in the care of local government authorities. The paper is located within a growing evidence base of the educational experience of young people in care and leaving care. The data on attainment and exclusion from school in particular are reviewed and confirm that looked‐after children in Scotland, as elsewhere in the UK, typically leave education with significantly fewer school leaving qualifications than is now the common expectation for young people in their age group and are significantly more likely to lose time in school due to exclusion. However, the review also shows the devastating impact of being in care on young children’s attainment in reading, writing and mathematics. The implications of the data reviewed are discussed in relation to the concepts of social justice, resilience and the educationally rich environment.     

Field Note: A Disease Specific Expert System for the Indian Mango Crop

Abstract

This paper examines new organizational arrangements that have emerged in the context of a privatized extension system. It investigates the positioning and embedding of a network broker aimed at enhancing interaction in the privatized agricultural knowledge and information system (AKIS), to assess whether tensions reported in other sectors also manifest in agriculture and inform theory and policy on collective functions in pluralistic extension systems. It employs a case study approach using semi-structured interviews, observations, a closed questionnaire and secondary data analysis. Results show that a demand-driven way of working may prevent network brokers losing their neutrality in farmers’ eyes, but that a network broker nevertheless can be perceived as disruptive by extension service providers. Furthermore, it appears hard to make the network brokerage function self-sufficient. The paper shows that a social dilemma manifests, that is, the collective benefits are recognized, but private interests do not support the brokers’ continued existence. This prompts consideration of the need for continued public support. Public support for network broker appears to be needed, but possible (market-disturbing) interference with the activities of private extension service providers prompts critical examination of the mandates of publicly funded network brokers.     

Diagnostic Role of Tumour Markers CEA, CA15-3, CA19-9 and CA125 in Lung Cancer

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield of the tumour markers carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 15-3, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125, in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a group of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected in a group of 90 patients with benign or malignant pulmonary diseases. After appropriate processing, tumour markers were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The diagnostic yields (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) in each environment (serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) were obtained by using "Receivers operating characteristic" curve. Determined individually, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125, showed the greatest diagnostic accuracy in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 did so in serum. Carcinoembryonic antigen was the most relevant marker in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. For the factors evaluated in this study, determination of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were clinically more useful markers in comparison with serum, although the latter may also be helpful in certain situations. Although there is no specific tumour marker for lung cancer, the combination of several can be used to diagnose most patients with lung cancer and also to rule out false positive and negative cases.