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The article focuses on the information revolution in India. It is stated that information technology (IT) has played a significant role in reshaping the societies of developed as well as developing nations including India. It adds that IT has been exploited by private and public sectors and has reached every section of the society and cutting across the barriers of religion, caste and class. It also highlights the impact of IT on science and technology, telecommunication sector, educational infrastructure and library and information environment in the country.

The degree of mechanical reinforcement provided by plants depends upon its roots distribution in the soil and mechanical properties of the roots. The mechanical properties and distribution of root traits (root diameter and number) in the soil of the standing forest depends on the tree stem diameter. This variation of root traits with tree stem diameter is rarely investigated. Therefore, this research presents the effect of tree stem diameter on the distribution of roots within the standing forest of Cunninghamia in the Longchi forest area, Sichuan province, China. In this area, shallow landslides take place frequently. We investigated the root traits distribution for trees with different stem diameters, i.e., 220 mm, 320 mm, 450 mm, and 468 mm, to show the variation of roots distribution in the soil with stem diameter. The root architecture of the selected trees was studied by step excavation method of the root zone accompanied by measurement of roots physical parameters (roots number and roots diameter) and indices (roots area ratio (RAR), roots biomass (RB), and roots distribution (RD)). We measured the root's maximum tensile strength by performing root tensile tests in the laboratory. The field and laboratory-measured data were used to estimate the root cohesion by both the commonly used model Wu and Waldron Model (WWM) and Fiber Bundle Model (FBM). The results indicate that the tree stem diameter correlates with both the root distribution and the tensile strength. The roots indices and root cohesion increase with an increase in the diameter of the tree. Further, RAR decreases with depth and lateral distance from the tree stem, while the maximum values were observed in 10 cm depth. The relationship between roots diameter and roots tensile strength is established through power function. The average root cohesion estimated for a tree with stem diameter 220 mm is 23 kPa, 29 kPa for 320 mm, 54 kPa for 450 mm, and 63 kPa for 460 mm. This effect of stem diameter on the increase of soil shear resistance should be considered while evaluating the stability of slopes in standing forests. The comparison between WWM and FBM for investigated species suggests that WWM estimates the cohesion values greater than FBM by 65%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the services and facilities provided by rural public libraries in West Bengal, India. In addition, the study aims to evaluate the perceptions of librarians regarding the implementation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications in these libraries. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather data. The primary method of data collection was a survey using a structured questionnaire, which was administered to a total of 102 rural libraries. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with the respective librarians to bring more objectivity to the results. The findings revealed that rural libraries possess a moderate collection of printed books, newspapers, and magazines. The results indicate that these rural libraries offer a diverse range of services and facilities that benefit their respective communities. However, findings of the study indicated an acute shortage of staff in almost all the surveyed libraries, with this factor, consequently, affecting services. One significant challenge faced by these libraries is the lack of ICT applications. Nevertheless, most librarians expressed positive attitudes towards the implementation of ICT in rural libraries, recognizing their potential to enhance library services and reach out to a wider audience. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the government should provide the necessary ICT tools in order to provide ICT-based library services. The results of this study can contribute to the upgrading and restructuring of rural library collections, infrastructure, services, and facilities in developing countries.

Introduction of computers in libraries has immensely enhanced the effectiveness of library services including efficient organization and retrieval of information activities. Since the application of information technology in libraries, one of the greatest challenges before the library managers is the selection of a good library automation software package which can cater to the needs of a particular library. In India, library automation process started in the last decade of the previous century. Many Indian as well as foreign software companies had entered into the market. Nevertheless, only a couple of library automation software packages gained success in making their presence felt into Indian market. The present article discusses the salient features of cataloguing module of three such packages, namely, Alice for Windows, Libsys and Virtua and their acceptability in a developing nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information technology is currently taking center stage. The enormous advantages it has in easing the delivery of information around the world, as well as the central role of information in the new global economy, means that information technology will shape the dynamics of the new millennium. This paper discusses the impact of information technology on society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To determine the knowledge of falls risk factors among home healthcare (HHC) professionals and the practice patterns of HHC professionals regarding falls prevention. Methods A modified version of a survey designed and validated for use in home healthcare settings was distributed to HHC professionals for self-completion. Responses were collected and analysed using descriptive methods. Results Out of 80 surveys distributed to 23 HHC centres, 52 returned surveys were included for analyses (completed by physicians, physical therapists [PTs] and nurses). In terms of practice patterns, 82.7% of participants always asked older adults if they have a history of falls, 81% always identified falls risk factors, 73% documented risk factors for falling and 71% always provided interventions to address falls risk factors. Environmental hazards were the most common risk factor identified by HHC professionals. Approximately one quarter of nurses felt they had little knowledge of falls risk factors. Conclusion Over 70% of HHC professionals acknowledged the importance of falls, and over 80% of participants displayed knowledge of falls prevention factors. As HHC professionals most likely to encounter patients requiring intervention for falls prevention, physical therapists may benefit from training programmes to help identify important falls risk factors.