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Introduction: The internet is an important modern means of obtaining information and communicating with others which has converted the world into a global village. At the same time, increasing internet use among adolescents is also likely to pose a major public health concern that is internet addiction (IA). The aim was to assess the prevalence of IA among school-going adolescents and factors associated with IA. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to survey adolescents studying in 8th to 11th standard of five schools of Vadodara. Information regarding sociodemography and various patterns of internet use were obtained using survey forms. IA test (IAT) was used to screen for IA. Descriptive analysis, univariate analysis, and logistic regression were done to analyze the data. Results: Seven hundred and twenty-four participants that completed IAT were analyzed. Internet use prevalence was 98.9%. Prevalence of IA was 8.7%. Male gender, owning a personal device, hours of internet use/day, use of smartphones, permanent login status, use of internet for chatting, making online friends, shopping, watching movies, online gaming, searching information online and instant messaging were found to be associated significantly with IA in univariate analysis. Internet use for online friendships was found to be a significant predictor of IA (odds ratio [OR] =2.4), and internet use for searching information was found to be protective (OR = 0.20) against IA on logistic regression. Conclusions: IA is prevalent in the adolescent population and requires awareness and intervention. Characteristics of internet usage found to be associated with IA needs to be considered while developing strategies for interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an analysis of current situation of renewable energy in Tamil Nadu, India and the future of renewable energy resources in the State. In India, maximum power generation is based on the conventional energy sources such as coal and mineral oil-based power plants. They are highly polluting for the atmosphere. If new power plants are to be set up, then the import of highly volatile fossil fuels is inevitable. Though nuclear energy is a good alternative solution to reduce fossil fuel consumption, it is equally hazardous to human life. Hence, the energy world should think of judicious utilization of renewable energy resources, such as solar, wind, ocean energy, biomass, and geothermal energy. The Research and Development activities carried out in India in the past three decades have shown good progress in finding feasible solution to the problem of finding new renewable energy resources. Tamil Nadu is the only state to utilize the renewable resources that is about more than one-third of its total energy production. Generally, the state has good geographic location and, hence, it has sufficient solar energy and wind energy resources. Also, state policies support utilization of renewable resources. This paper analyses current scenario of the renewable energy in Tamil Nadu while evaluating the current energy needs of the state and forecasts energy consumption and production in the future, with the aim of finding whether the state can continue its development and augment its renewable energy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of environmental parameters on the spawning aggregation of Euphausia sibogae was investigated along the southwest coast of India during the peak phase of summer monsoon 2005. The prevailing ecological conditions between the aggregation period (peak phase) and non-aggregation period (early phase) were also compared. The aggregation was observed at station 1 (8◦N; 76.5◦E, 480 ind·m-3) and 6 (10◦N; 75.5◦E, 839 ind.m-3) during the peak phase of the summer monsoon. Eggs (14769 eggsm-3) and different developmental stages were observed in higher abundance at station 6. The physicochemical conditions indicated that the aggregation coincided with the upwelling. The nutrient enrichment due to the upwelling triggered phytoplankton blooms, and this appeared to provide a conducive environment for spawning and development of E. sibogae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]