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Coastal aquaculture is an important economic activity in India dominated majorly by shrimp culture, which involves a range of interconnected processes that are challenging to analyse and optimise without a systematic approach. System dynamics modelling is a useful tool for understanding and predicting the behavior of complex coastal aquaculture systems. here, we review the status of dynamic simulation modelling works undertaken in aquaculture, which can provide directives for various researchers working on developing simulation models for shrimp aquaculture. There is a need to assess the impact of dynamic forces on the animals during the culture period which could be addressed through these models. System dynamic models assist decision-makers to augment potential measures for aquaculture-related problems under different possible scenarios. System dynamic models developed in aquaculture were related to feeding, water quality parameters, nitrogen dynamics, growth, etc. The strengths and limitations of software packages used in developing the simulation models are discussed. Considering the economic potential of shrimp aquaculture, it is important to develop an integrated dynamic model for predicting all the sub-processes of shrimp aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) 128 is an internationally endorsed, electronically readable labeling standard that provides a convenient and accurate means of identification, traceability, publication, and storage of information for blood and blood products. The authors' center recently registered with the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) and progressed to ISBT 128 labeling standard. This manuscript was written with the objective of sharing the authors' experience with respect to the implementation of ISBT 128 standards for whole blood donations and integration of ISBT 128 standards with Indian licensing regulations. The authors explore the process of implementation of ISBT 128 standards through a step-by-step journey that included facility registration with International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA), allotment of facility identification number, development of four-quadrant label for blood components, and integration of local regulatory requirements in the final "composite" label. Acknowledging the lack of any published report from India on ISBT 128 standards implementation, the authors wish to attempt help their peers in understanding and implementation of this global standard at their respective facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to rapid urbanization, there is an increase in population in slums often lacking access to basic health services. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the utilization of reproductive and child health services by recently delivered women and their children residing in catchment areas of urban PHCs, to evaluate their level of satisfaction and to determine the factors associated with utilization of these services by recently delivered women. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the catchment areas of urban primary health centre of Lucknow. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 women having children less than 24 months in the slums covered under selected U-PHCs, sampled through a multi-stage random sampling technique using a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis used: SPSS-26 and MedCalc software were used for data analysis. Results: Utilization of RCH services by recently delivered women from UPHC was 39%. About 24% of recently delivered women availed ANC services from UPHC and 56.7% utilized family planning services and 95.8% immunization services for children. Child care services for diarrhea and ARI were availed by 9.9 and 3.1% of women, respectively. Satisfaction regarding maternal care and immunization services was seen in 84 and 95.8% of women. Poor satisfaction regarding child care was seen in 56.5% of women. Conclusions: The utilization of RCH services was found to be poor in the study population. Most recently delivered women were satisfied with all services except child care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contemporary society has led to the increasing use of electronic equipment that is very much responsible for the burden of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste contains very hazardous substance that harms health and environmental conditions. There is no delicate mechanism for the management of e-waste in Lucknow city, Uttar Pradesh. This study assessed knowledge, practice, and awareness of e-waste management among residents of this city. Material and methods: The study was conducted amongst users of electronic equipment living in the Lucknow City of Uttar Pradesh. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Multi-stage random sampling was done for the selection of participants for the study. A predesigned and pretested questionnaire was administered in a single setting for all phases. The total optimum sample size is 700 individuals who participated in the study. Data were entered in MS Excel 2016 and descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were calculated, applying the chi-square test for association using R-4.2.1 Statistical software. Aim and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding the management of electronic waste among users of electronic equipment residing in Lucknow city. Results: Only 37% of users are aware that e-waste adversely affects health. Only 34.3% of users knew that e-waste should be given to the seller or manufacturer for recycling while rest told that it should be stored at home, sold to a scrap dealer, or disposed with normal waste. 87.3% users are not aware about e-waste govt guidelines. In the current study electronic and print media like television, radio and news paper were not found to be source of information for e-waste disposal. Conclusion: Education regarding the ill effects of e-waste is essential for people and awareness of proper disposal of e-waste is the need of the hour. Electronic and print media as well as companies producing electronic equipment should play a significant role to awaken the respondent about the disposal of e-waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nutritional anemia is one of India's major public health problems. Adolescence is a vulnerable period in the human life cycle for the development of nutritional anemia. Anemia in adolescent girls contributes to maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity in future. Aim and Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls and to study the sociodemographic factors associated with anemia. Method: It was a community based cross sectional study in 10 villages of a district. 420 adolescent girls were interviewed using a predesigned, pretested questionnaire, and their anemic status was assessed by hemoglobin estimation. Results were analyzed by using percentage, proportion and Chi-square test, with the help of Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 20.0 statistical software. Result: Mean age of the study sample was 14.01 ± 2.57 years. The majority (64.8%) of the girls were hindu by religion and belonged to a nuclear family (53.6%). 45.2 % were educated up to high school level. Most of the girls belonged to socioeconomic class IV (46.0%). The prevalence of anemia in this study was found to be 65.7%. The prevalence of mild and moderate anemia among study participants was 32.6 and 29.8%, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between the prevalence of anemia with age group, educational status of both father and mother, and status of attainment of menarche (p<0.05). Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was very high; therefore, attempts must be made to sensitize adolescents and their parents through health and nutrition education, information, education, and communication (IEC), and appropriate behavioral change communication (BCC) activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality among infectious diseases globally. Effectively managing TB requires early identification of individuals with TB disease. Resource-constrained settings often lack skilled professionals for interpreting chest X-rays (CXRs) used in TB diagnosis. To address this challenge, we developed "DecXpert" a novel Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software solution based on deep neural networks for early TB diagnosis from CXRs, aiming to detect subtle abnormalities that may be overlooked by human interpretation alone. This study was conducted on the largest cohort size to date, where the performance of a CAD software (DecXpert version 1.4) was validated against the gold standard molecular diagnostic technique, GeneXpert MTB/RIF, analyzing data from 4363 individuals across 12 primary health care centers and one tertiary hospital in North India. DecXpert demonstrated 88% sensitivity (95% CI 0.85-0.93) and 85% specificity (95% CI 0.82-0.91) for active TB detection. Incorporating demographics, DecXpert achieved an area under the curve of 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.94), indicating robust diagnostic performance. Our findings establish DecXpert's potential as an accurate, efficient AI solution for early identification of active TB cases. Deployed as a screening tool in resource-limited settings, DecXpert could enable early identification of individuals with TB disease and facilitate effective TB management where skilled radiological interpretation is limited., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Open source software is used widely across different continents though its adoption in libraries depend upon varioius factors. Type of library, availability of staff, qualification and skill sets of the librarian and other staff, support of the management, library budget, time availability, independence to the librarian are just some of the factors that may determine adoption of open source software. This paper tries to understand if gender of the librarian also has any significant impact on adoption of open source software. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study is conducted in India focusing on libraries of the private management education institutions in the Noida and Ghaziabad of the Uttar Pradesh, a state of India. Data is collected using Google Forms. After normalization of data, analyis of the data is conducted using SPSS 18 version after conducting reliability analysis on the major vaiables for reliability of the data. The sample is chosen due to very large number and different types of educational institutions providing management education in this geographical area. Findings: This study confirms that more and more libraries are adopting open source software now however adoption rate of open source software among female libraries is lesser. It is evident from the study women are not lagging behind due to qualification or skill sets but their other responsibilities i.e. family responsibilities cause work-life imbalance and hence they do not take much risks and try to adjust in pre-defined boundaries. Survey results also indicate if employer provides risk free environment to female librarians then adoption of open source software may become faster. Originality/Value: This study is entirely original work of the authors and is based upon data collected using google forms after distribution among various libraries. Results of this study may help in employers and government to take up women-friendly measures that ensure worklife balance and provide a women-friendly environment so that they can use their knowledge and skills for betterment of their libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global urban population is projected to double by 2050. This rapid urbanization is the driver of economic growth but has environmental challenges. To that end, there is an urgent need to understand, simulate, and disseminate information about extreme events, routine city operations, and long-term planning decisions. This paper describes an effort underway in India involving an interdisciplinary community of meteorology, hydrology, air quality, and computer science from national and international institutes. The urban collaboratory is a system of systems for simulating weather, hydrology, air quality, health, energy, transport, and economy and its interactions. Study and prediction of urban events involve multiscale observations and cross-sector models, heterogeneous data management, and enormous computing power. The consortia program (NSM_Urban) is part of "weather ready cities," under the aegis of India's National Supercomputing Mission. The ecosystem "Urban Environment Science to Society" (UES2S) builds on the integrated cyberinfrastructure with a science gateway for community research and end-user service with modeling and interoperable data. The collaboratory has urban computing, stakeholder participation, and a coordinated means to scaffold projects and ideas into operational tools. It discusses the design and the utilization of high-performance computing (HPC) as a science cloud platform for bridging urban environment and data science, participatory stakeholder applications, and decision-making. The system currently integrates models for high-impact urban weather, flooding, air quality, and simulating street- and building-scale wind flow and dispersion. The program with the work underway is ripe for interfacing with regional and international partners, and this paper provides an avenue toward that end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: This article details a systematic study to investigate knowledge that graduate students have about reliability and safety engineering (RSE), comparing it with industry expectations. Background: Reliability and safety have always been the main focus while developing safety-critical systems (SCS). An interview study was conducted with engineering students in India and Brazil and with experienced practitioners to investigate a perceived mismatch between education and employment on knowledge related to RSE in SCS. Research Question: How does student knowledge of RSE for SCS compare with industry expectations? What measures could be taken by institutes and universities providing computer engineering courses to better meet the expectations of industries regarding SCS? Methodology: Interviews and discussions were conducted with 21 practitioners from ten different organizations to identify what expectations they hold for the students they recruit to develop SCS, as these SCS have high reliability and safety requirements. Interviews were conducted with graduate students of various engineering disciplines to assess their knowledge of RSE for SCS. Analyses were conducted to compare industry expectations with students’ knowledge. Findings: Analyses indicated most graduate students do not have the range of knowledge regarding RSE that recruiters see as essential for the development of SCS. Hence, it is paramount to rethink computing curricula—to include RSE-related topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retention of Employees is one of the basic key challenges confronted by the means of IT agencies in our country India. It is determined that there may be additionally a high-quality name for expert of IT professionals inside India and foreign countries, which has ended mainly in technophile leaving the employer in search of a greener and wider pastures. The IT corporations today's in context cannot come up with the cash to lose their indispensable physique of employees due to uncertainty of altering economy, growing opposition and shortage of knowledgeable physique of employees as this will in flip have an impact on their bottom traces notably. All these created the want for designing the effective retention strategies. The reason of the prevailing document is to take a seem to be at factors like profits, superior -- subordinate courting, boom possibilities, centers, rules and tactics, reputation, appreciation, tips, co- humans via which it allows to understand the Attrition stage inside the firms and factors concerning conserving them. This find out about moreover allows to locate out in which the businesses are lagging in maintaining. Researcher accrued sampling statistics from 130 respondents of software industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health care providers worldwide are rapidly adopting electronic medical record (EMR) systems, replacing paper record-keeping systems. Despite numerous benefits to EMRs, the environmental emissions associated with medical record-keeping are unknown. Given the need for urgent climate action, understanding the carbon footprint of EMRs will assist in decarbonizing their adoption and use., Objective: We aimed to estimate and compare the environmental emissions associated with paper medical record-keeping and its replacement EMR system at a high-volume eye care facility in southern India., Methods: We conducted the life cycle assessment methodology per the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 14040 standard, with primary data supplied by the eye care facility. Data on the paper record-keeping system include the production, use, and disposal of paper and writing utensils in 2016. The EMR system was adopted at this location in 2018. Data on the EMR system include the allocated production and disposal of capital equipment (such as computers and routers); the production, use, and disposal of consumable goods like paper and writing utensils; and the electricity required to run the EMR system. We excluded built infrastructure and cooling loads (eg. buildings and ventilation) from both systems. We used sensitivity analyses to model the effects of practice variation and data uncertainty and Monte Carlo assessments to statistically compare the 2 systems, with and without renewable electricity sources., Results: This location's EMR system was found to emit substantially more greenhouse gases (GHGs) than their paper medical record system (195,000 kg carbon dioxide equivalents [CO 2 e] per year or 0.361 kg CO 2 e per patient visit compared with 20,800 kg CO 2 e per year or 0.037 kg CO 2 e per patient). However, sensitivity analyses show that the effect of electricity sources is a major factor in determining which record-keeping system emits fewer GHGs. If the study hospital sourced all electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind power rather than the Indian electric grid, their EMR emissions would drop to 24,900 kg CO 2 e (0.046 kg CO 2 e per patient), a level comparable to the paper record-keeping system. Energy-efficient EMR equipment (such as computers and monitors) is the next largest factor impacting emissions, followed by equipment life spans. Multimedia Appendix 1 includes other emissions impact categories., Conclusions: The climate-changing emissions associated with an EMR system are heavily dependent on the sources of electricity. With a decarbonized electricity source, the EMR system's GHG emissions are on par with paper medical record-keeping, and decarbonized grids would likely have a much broader benefit to society. Though we found that the EMR system produced more emissions than a paper record-keeping system, this study does not account for potential expanded environmental gains from EMRs, including expanding access to care while reducing patient travel and operational efficiencies that can reduce unnecessary or redundant care., (©Cordelia Kwon, Lernik Essayei, Michael Spencer, Tom Etheridge, Rengaraj Venkatesh, Natrajan Vengadesan, Cassandra L Thiel. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 06.02.2024.)

Introduction: India's National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) was initiated in 1982. In 2016, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) organized a Brainstorming Meeting on Prioritization of Mental Health Research. Recognizing the need for improving mental healthcare by building a cadre of mental health researchers based on focus areas of the NMHP, the ICMR organized a research training cum capacity building workshop in collaboration with the Cross-Fertilized Research Training Programme (funded by Fogarty International Centre, NIH, USA) in 2016. The workshop successfully prepared and reviewed 12 single and multicenter research proposals in priority areas of mental health research, which were awarded by the ICMR to middle- and junior-level research faculty and NGO. Methods: A National Coordination Unit (NCU) was set up to mentor investigators and to coordinate, train, and monitor the progress of their projects. Investigators were paired with senior mentors and also participated in four capacity building workshops focusing on proposal-writing, evaluation, and process tracking. Results: Following discussions with ICMR program officers, the NCU formulated standard operating procedures for ethical conduct, data collection, data sharing, progress reporting procedures, and manuscript preparation for all research projects. Regularly scheduled long-distance communications with investigators using social media and group communications were planned. NCU partnered with the ICMR Database Management Unit to build a shared online platform for real-time data entry and storage, and organized two project review meetings where it also coordinated with US faculty to organize public workshops on manuscript writing and qualitative research. Conclusions: The NCU will ensure timely completion of research projects, data entry and analysis, and reports and project publications. It is feasible to evaluate progress with the NMHP through coordinated multisite research that also enables research capacity building. Results from these projects will help in formulating policies by the Ministry of Health Government of India for achieving objectives of the NMHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Under-reporting, delayed diagnosis, incomplete treatment and inadequate vector management are few among many factors responsible for uninterrupted transmission of malaria in India. Information technology (IT) and mobile apps can be utilized effectively to overcome these hurdles. Indigenously developed digital handheld geographic information system (GIS)-tagged Android-based tablets (TABs) has been designed especially for implementation of digitization protocol. This has changed the effectiveness of malaria surveillance and intervention strategies in a malaria endemic area of Mangaluru city, Karnataka, India. Methods: A software was developed and implemented for control measures to create a digital database of each malaria case. Secondary data analyses were carried out to determine and compare differences in malariometric indices between pre- and post-digitization years. With the introduction of this software active surveillance, information education and communication (IEC), and anti-vector measures were made 'incidence-centric'. This means that the entire control measures were carried out in the houses where the malaria cases (index cases) were reported and also in surrounding houses. Results: Annual blood examination rate (ABER) increased from 13.82 to 32.8%. Prompt reporting of new cases had improved (36% within 24 h and 80% within 72 h). Complete treatment and parasite clearance time were documented in 98% of cases. In the second post-digitization year untraceable cases reduced from 11.3 to 2.7%; contact blood smears collection also increased significantly (p < 0.001); Slide Positivity Rate (SPR) decreased from 15.5 to 10.48%; malaria cases reduced by 30%. Conclusions: IT is very useful in translation of digitized surveillance to core interventions thereby effectively reduce incidence of malaria. This technology can be used effectively to translate smart surveillance to core interventions following the '1-3-7-14' strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Software industry is a human capital intensive industry. A study was conducted to assess mental health among IT professionals. The objectives were 1). To assess the mental health among IT profession and 2). To find out the association between IT profession's mental health and their selected demographic variables. Majority of the clients who scored positive for social dysfunction, anxiety & depression and loss of confidence were between 20-30 years of age, females, software engineers, had undergraduate education, had total work experience in software between 4-7 years and in the current company, followed Hindu religion, were married, residing in urban locality and had job satisfaction. Age and experience in the current company were associated with anxiety and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The present study attempted to develop computer based auditory training software focusing on Kannada speaking children with hearing impairment (HI). In addition, it was also attempted to determine if there are any improvements in listening with and without the developed software. Materials and Methods: This was determined based on pre and post therapy changes in the parent's perspective, and also on questionnaires. The software consisted of five modules namely, auditory awareness, auditory identification, auditory discrimination, auditory memory and sequencing and auditory comprehension. It was administered on ten individuals with HI who also received listening training, while he control group received only listening training. Results: The results of the study showed that there was an improvement in listening skills based on infant toddler-meaningful auditory integration scale (IT-MAIS) and parents' evaluation of aural/oral performance of children (PEACH) questionnaires administered on parents of children with HI. A detailed interview of parents also suggested that there was an enhanced auditory attention and improvement in overall listening skills. Conclusions: Thus, the present software can act as a supplement to the usual listening training in Kannada speaking children with HI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Uttara Kannada districts during the year 2012-2014. The study area lies between 13.92o N to 15.52o N latitude and 74.08° E t° 75.09° E longitude with an area of 10,215 km2. The Indian satellite IRS P6 LISS-III imageries were used to classify the land use land cover classes with ground truth data collected with GPS through supervised classification in ERDAS software. The land use and land cover classes identified were dense forest, horticulture plantation, sparse forest, forest plantation, open land and agriculture land. The dense forest covered an area of 63.32 % (6468.70 sq km) followed by agriculture 12.88 % (1315.31 sq. km), sparse forest 10.59 % (1081.37 sq. km), open land 6.09 % (622.37 sq. km), horticulture plantation and least was forest plantation (1.07 %). Settlement, stony land and water body together cover about 4.26 percent of the area. The study indicated that the aspect and altitude influenced the forest types and vegetation pattern. The NDVI map was prepared which indicated that healthy vegetation is represented by high NDVI values between 0.1 and 1. The non-vegetated features such as water bodies, settlement, and stony land indicated less than 0.1 values. The decrease in forest area in some places was due to anthropogenic activities. The thematic map of land use land cover classes was prepared using Arc GIS Software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Asia-Pacific region, India and China have spectacular role in promoting software industry. India is a leading destination for Information Technology (IT) software, while China is strong in the hardware segment. Unfortunately, the bilateral engagements between the two countries have been limited. This paper traces the immense opportunity available for strengthening the diasporic relations in the Indo-China software market. The paper identifies the important difference between the Chinese and Indian software with respect to the usage and the determinants of software development in both countries. Both diasporas are privileged to have their human resources that can play an important role through software outsourcing. The paper throws light on the SWOT analysis of both the economies in the area of the trends and patterns of software export and domestic market, factor inputs and the role of policy instruments, institutions and market forces needed for the promotion of the software industry. It also identifies the collaboration between companies from the point of view of the Indo-China economies that will be a win-win situation for competing and capturing the world market, if India's strength in software could be meshed with China's prowess in hardware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common information model (CIM) in vogue represents transmission and distribution components, and market operations in the perspective of electrical system, as unified modeling language (UML) objects. UML is object centric. CIM can offer interoperability and facilitate model exchange for large systems and is being adopted by many utilities. However, dealing effectively with multiple business processes is the backbone of the restructured power systems. Since CIM lacks chronological process sense, this has to be superimposed on CIM models, which is not easy due to inherent limitations of UML. To overcome this, this paper proposes to utilize business process modeling notation (BPMN) standards as a kind of pre-processor. BPMN is used to represent process centric interoperability requirements as business objects. UML object representation in CIM model is derived subsequently from it. The proposal is illustrated with an application use case—deriving CIM model of day-ahead market (DAM) transaction of distribution company, from its business process representation. Semantic model of DAM transaction using CIM IEC 62325 (Markets) and extensions required are presented with a sample Indian system. DAM models in BPMN and CIM can be utilized to build an efficient software application. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Containing expenditure and efficient resource use is essential to limit the increasing costs of health research. Electronic data collection (EDC) is thought to reduce the costs compared to paper-based data collection (PDC)., Objectives: As economic evidence in this area is scanty, especially in low- and middle-income countries, the objectives of the study are to perform an economic evaluation and compare the cost between EDC and PDC., Methods: A cost-comparison study was conducted to compare between EDC and PDC from the institutional perspective for the year 2018, based on a community-based survey. Step-down cost accounting was adopted with a bottom-up approach for cost estimation. Total and unit costs were estimated with the base case comparison between EDC and PDC while using SPSS software (e-SPSS and p-SPSS, respectively). We conducted scenario analyses based on the usage of different software, R and STATA for both EDC and PDC (e-R, p-R, e-STATA, and p-STATA, respectively). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) was performed to examine the robustness of the observed results., Results: In the base-case analysis, total costs of EDC and PDC were ₹72,617 ($1060.9) and 87,717 ($1281.5), respectively, with estimated cost reduction of ₹15,100 ($220.6). In other scenarios, the estimated cost reduction for e-R, e-STATA, p-R, p-STATA was ₹-274 ($4.0), 98 ($1.4), 14826 ($216.6), and 15,002 ($219.2), respectively, when compared to EDC-SPSS. On one-way and PSA, the results of the cost-comparison analysis were robust., Conclusion: EDC minimizes institutional cost for conducting health research. This finding will help researchers in efficiently planning for the budget for their research.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has affected the libraries to the great extent. Libraries use ICT to maintain housekeeping operations, services, uniformity and extension of library facilities. University libraries of Rajasthan (India) are using computer and associated technology for library activities. This study attempts to reveal the basic infrastructure, use, and privation during the implementation of ICT in University libraries of Rajasthan. The data have been collected using the survey method. The paper encompasses the information about the staff, collection, financial sources, hardware, software, networking infrastructure, housekeeping operations, user's services, training and problems areas encountered during implementation of ICT in university libraries. It is revealed that ICT activities are under developing stage in the university libraries of Rajasthan. The lack of basic management and proper planning and frequently change in ICT are the basic hurdles for successful implementation and development of ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Overall Index of Pollution (OIP) is a single number that expresses the overall water quality by integrating measurements of 14 different physicochemical, toxicological, and bacteriological water quality parameters. It provides a simple and concise method for water quality classification as, ‘Excellent’, ‘Acceptable’, ‘Slightly Polluted’, ‘Polluted’, and ‘Heavily Polluted’. OIP values range from 0 to 16. A high OIP value signals poor water quality, while a low value signals good water quality based on the classification scheme developed for India. In this paper, we present a computer-automated, user-friendly, and standalone Surface Water Quality Assessment Tool (SWQAT), which calculates OIP values and displays it on Google map. The software is developed in VB.Net and SQL database. The software application is demonstrated through water quality assessment of two rivers of India, namely Cauvery and Tungabhadra. OIP values are estimated at 10 sampling stations on the river Cauvery and at eight sampling stations on the river Tungabhadra. The Cauvery river OIP scores in the range 0.85–7.91 while for Tungabhadra river, it is in range 2.08 to 8.97. The results are useful to analyze the variations in the water quality of different sites at different times. SWQAT improves understanding of general water quality issues, communicates water quality status, and draws the need for and effectiveness of protection measures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study sustainability of the global business model of software outsourcing with perspective of Indian vendors. Design/methodology/approach – In order to obtain results as per the stated purpose, the authors have done an extensive literature review search in the e-journals databases: ABI/INFORM Complete, EBSCO Business Source Complete, Emerald Management Xtra and Science Direct. Over and above these databases and journals, NASSCOM reports, survey and some books were also referred for literature review. Finally 59 references listed at the end of the paper were used for the stated purpose. Findings – The paper studies trends in software industry and outsourcing models, which Indian vendors are offering to their global clients. Each model is evaluated analytically for its advantages and shortcomings subsequently the paper concludes by stating the need for a sustainable global business model in software outsourcing from Indian perspective. Research limitations/implications – The paper studies business of software at a global level and subsequently narrows its focus on the models being provided by the Indian vendors. It identifies need for a sustainable model to be used by the Indian vendors; the limitation of the paper is it concludes with the need identification and is from an Indian vendor perspective. The needs identified can be further used as a basis for hypothesis formulation, questionnaire design, data survey and analysis so that blue print of the proposed model can finally emerge, also the study can be expanded to include global vendors. Practical implications – The following paper analytically studies current trends in global business of software sourcing, and identifies pros and cons of the models adopted by Indian vendors. It identifies the need for a sustainable global business model for software outsourcing; in case the need is fulfilled it will definitely add value to India as a software sourcing destination and lead to more revenue generation which will eventually culminate into a large-scale and long term economic and social impact. The study also has several research and public policy formulation implications. Originality/value – The paper is completely original work of the authors where the value addition is clearly seen by studying the advantages and shortcomings of the existing models of software outsourcing adopted by Indian vendors and identifying the need for sustainability therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Indian law on the legal protection of software, and the different types of software contracts entered into by companies. A description of the two principal modes of intellectual property (IP) protection of software is offered. It examines the growth of software in India since the 1990s. The author further explains the Indian practice and legislation in formulating software contracts and licence agreements.

Development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has influenced the libraries for its overall betterment. Libraries use ICT to manage communication facilities, housekeeping operations, user's services, standardization and extension of library activities. University libraries of Madhya Pradesh (MP) are in transition stage in the use of ICT. The study is based on librarians' views and attempts to reveal the real scenario of university libraries of MP as regards to its infrastructure, use and problems to develop and maintain the ICT in libraries. Survey method has been used in the study to find out the present ICT infrastructure in University libraries and use of ICT in terms of communication facilities, collection, hardware, software, networking infrastructure, housekeeping operations, user's services, training and problem areas of the university libraries. The paper concludes that university libraries of MP are in a developing stage in its infrastructure and use of ICT. Lack of proper planning and supervision and frequent change in ICT are the basic hurdles in successful development of ICT in university libraries in MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the extent of the fair use exception under Section 52(1)(ab) of the 1957 Copyright Act when applied to computer software as a work of art in India. The right to decompile, as practiced in several countries and enactments, is compared with the Indian stand. It cites the insufficiency and poor drafting of the statutory guidelines. It concludes that unless narrowed down in its scope, the exception may be used to invent liability for infringement of copyrighted software.

Abstract: The seismological records of past events provide insight into the seismic activities in an area. They help in preparing long-term plans to manage earthquake disasters. We present a system to display and analyse historical seismological data using the Java-based software application Kampan 2006. This interactive multi-purpose tool can display and analyse seismological data with a simple click of the mouse. The design and development of Kampan 2006 strictly followed the concepts of software engineering. We used the programming capabilities of Java to the fullest extent in developing Kampan 2006. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In India, the legalities of computer software are often poorly understood by the programmers, authors, and the software industry. Indian software industry, being one of the top most foreign exchange earners, needs to take a close look and safeguard its market and intellect of its many programmers since computer database is a new type of intellectual property of growing importance in today's world. The Indian software industry has to change its orientation and stress the protection of intellectual property. Only by doing so, there will be a good scope for original product development. The article discusses the practical end legal methods of protecting computer databases from unauthorised copying and use, and areas of trade secrecy and non-disclosure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on an emerging literature of international new ventures, we suggest that new ventures face two modes of internationalization: a direct mode and an intermediated means, using multinational enterprises as intermediaries. When considering direct internationalization, new ventures face high entry barriers including a lack of firm resources and access to key infrastructure. However, new ventures pursuing the intermediated mode of internationalization encounter transaction costs and the threat of rent extraction from multinational enterprises. Sector level case evidence suggests that the intermediated form of internationalization can be found in the software industry in Ireland and India. Our firm-level case studies identify the strategic issues and drawbacks associated with the intermediated mode of internationalization. Implications for policy-makers include encouraging firms to consider intermediated internationalization and targeting enterprise supports at entrepreneurs with experience of working in multinational enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using India as a case study, this article analyzes how the Internet influenced its export-oriented software industry. We show that prior to the Internet, domestic entrepreneurship was the key factor for the industry's origin and growth. The industry suffered from relatively low value-addition. As a result, domestic firms, though they were industry leaders within India, were followers of the global leadership provided by transnational firms. With the arrival of the Internet, there was a rise in the level of domain expertise. We show that the Internet facilitated the transfer of domain expertise for foreign firms more than it helped the acquisition of domain expertise by domestic firms. While the value-addition of the industry increased as a result, industry leadership began to pass to foreign firms. The strategic lesson for other countries trying to rapidly develop an export-oriented software industry is unambiguous: exclusive reliance on domestic entrepreneurship will usually result in the domestic industry falling behind its global competitors, while granting unrestricted entry to transnational firms will lead to the domestic firms losing industry leadership in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on an initiative undertaken by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in India to promote a unique industry-academia collaboration, to develop a comprehensive bioinformatics software package. BioSuite has been developed by Tata Consultancy services who took the primary coding responsibility with significant support from a large academic community who participated on advisory roles through the project period.

The article proposes several parameters for creating a reliable test that will determine the patentability of computer software. A test based on criteria such as product function and form will encourage software companies to become innovative without stifling progress through the granting of frivolous patents. Information on the computer software laws of the U.S. and India and existing patentability tests highlighting software function and form are also cited.

The growth of the c-commerce industry and its relationship with associated industries such as telecommunications and software are analysed in the context of the Indian and Mexican economies. In addition, factors impacting the adoption of e-commerce in different sectors of the economy are examined. The major variables considered include growth in the number of internet connections, telecommunications infrastructure, attitudes and awareness of corporations and individual customers towards e-commerce, growth of the software industry in terms of its relationship to c-commerce, and the role played by the government. The two nations are compared on four groups of e-commerce factors. Based on existing trends, the major bottlenecks to future growth are also examined and a framework is presented that may help explain the process of e-commerce diffusion in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]