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This paper examines the long-run relationship between information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and economic growth in G-20 countries for the period 1961-2019. We use six different indicators of ICT infrastructure, namely telephone landlines, mobile phones, internet users, internet servers, fixed broadband, and a composite index. Using autoregressive distributive (ARDL) cointegration technique, the study warrants the support of long-run relationship between ICT infrastructure and economic growth in a few cases, typically with reference to a particular ICT infrastructure indicator and economic growth we use. Using vector error correction model (VECM) for testing the Granger causalities, the study acknowledges mixed evidence of the relationship between the ICT infrastructure and economic growth in the G-20 countries, both by individual country and at the panel setting. In some instances, ICT infrastructure leads to economic growth, lending support to supply-leading hypothesis (S) of ICT infrastructure-growth nexus. In other instances, it is the economic growth that engenders the level of ICT infrastructure, lending support to demand-following hypothesis (D) of ICT infrastructure-growth nexus. There are also circumstances, where ICT infrastructure and economic growth are mutually interdependent. That is the situation where both are self-reinforcing and offer support to feedback hypothesis (F) of ICT infrastructure-growth nexus. In addition, there are also instances, where the ICT infrastructure and economic growth are independent of each other. This is the situation where both are neutral and offer support to neutrality hypothesis (N) of ICT infrastructure-growth nexus. To summarize, Granger causality results vary from country to country within the G-20 countries, depending upon the type of ICT infrastructure and economic growth that we use in a particular empirical exploration process. The policy implication of this study is that the economic policies should recognize the differences in the ICT infrastructure and economic growth in order to maintain sustainable development in these G-20 countries. JEL Classifications: O43, O16, E44 and E31 Keywords: ICT infrastructure, economic growth, ARDL, VECM, G-20 countries Corresponding Author's Email Address: rudrap@vgsom.iitkgp.ac.in, INTRODUCTION 'The extensive usage of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), such as the internet, cell phone and broadband network, has altogether redefined the interaction frontier. Indeed, the application of [...]

Access to affordable and reliable energy sources can substantially enhance the lives of marginalized communities in rural areas. Unfortunately, numerous households in these communities rely upon unclean sources of energy such as kerosene to light the house even during daylight. To address this issue, solar off-grid technology - Micro Solar Dome (MSD) was implemented in various states across India, specifically benefiting the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities. The study, across the eight selected states, highlights the advantages of adopting off-grid technologies and their roles in promoting awareness of renewable energy solutions. The survey used purposive sampling to collect community members' perceptions of the product's benefits and their awareness of renewable technologies. The results indicated that the utilization of the product not only enhanced illumination levels within households but also contributed to improved safety, increased study hours for children, and facilitated economic activities during the evening hours. Furthermore, the study revealed that education plays a crucial role in adopting solar energy. However, interventions such as awareness programs and hands-on experiences with the products can also greatly enhance awareness and promote adoption in rural areas. Overall, the study provided compelling evidence of the significant and positive impact that small-scale initiatives like the MSD can have on the lives of marginalized communities. It also emphasized the potential of such solutions to empower these communities and improve their overall wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of subjective well-being has become a prime new topic in what we know about the causes and effects of migration. It has the potential to make important contributions to the field of migration studies. This paper tries to organise and assess the developing research on migration and happiness from a worldwide perspective. Both internal and international migration are examined in this paper, which also takes into account the perspectives of many stakeholders, like migrants themselves, as well as the host communities and extended families that they leave behind. The study found that migration decisions are greatly influenced by happiness, with somewhat dissatisfied people moving to happier places even after taking into consideration traditional migration predictors. When it comes to global migration, the majority of international migrants report happiness gains, whereas hosting communities have a mixed but minor effect, and family members who remain behind report an overall favourable impact on evaluative well-being but a negative impact on emotional well-being. The consequences, on the other hand, are highly context-dependent and there is a significant variance between individuals. Internal migrants are less affected by migration. Overall, the study concludes that migration improves the world by primarily benefiting migrants while having only minor negative consequences for host communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Happiness is gaining popularity not only in academics but also in politics. Through a review of research, this study attempts to investigate if renewable energy may contribute to happiness and discovered that the relationship between energy usage and environmental quality on subjective well-being has received a lot of attention. Existing fossil fuel consumption has consequences that endanger the lives and well-being of those who are already most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The goal of this study is to summarise the association between renewable energy consumption and subjective welling. According to the study, using renewable energy improves environmental quality whereas using fossil fuels degrades it. The two are intrinsically linked: environmental quality and subjective well-being. Other findings on the positive effects of renewable energy on subjective well-being support policymakers in developing future energy transition policies that must take well-being concerns into account. It can be concluded that renewable energy consumption can be associated with subjective well-being but cannot act as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to present a synopsis of the research on juvenile well-being and the usage of digital technologies. In sum, the data suggest that the consequences are generally unfavourable, but negligible. Procrastination and passive usage are associated with greater negative impacts, while social and active uses are associated with more good outcomes. Short-term indicators of hedonic well-being (such as negative affect) are more strongly affected by digital technology use than long-term eudaimonic well-being indicators (e.g., life satisfaction). Adolescents are particularly susceptible, but adults are not spared either. Evidently, low and high usage are linked to lower levels of happiness, but moderate usage is associated with higher levels of happiness. There are many gaps in the existing research that need to be filled. There is a lack of high-quality research that include large samples, objective measures of digital technology use, and experience sampling of happiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study is a field note to two tribal villages in Chandaka region of Odisha, namely, Bhagabatipur and Firikinali. Both the villages are devoid of adequate electricity facilities. Although there is a grid connection in both the villages, it suffers from various problems that lead to ultimate darkness. The field visit includes pre and post-pilot installation visits under a DST sponsored project. The fundamental aim of the project is to promote large scale deployment of Micro Solar Domes (MSD) for renewable energy application and social empowerment of rural SC and ST communities through integrated techno-social interventions for addressing energy-poverty holistically. The villagers of Bhagabatipur have benefitted immensely from MSD, and many villagers are interested in installing it for a better lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration for livelihood and well-being of self and family members is as old as the history of human beings. While migration is associated with the overall well-being of migrants and their families, there are several problems about happiness that arise for migrants, notably those who relocate from one nation to another. This study is based on the review of prior research that examines the findings and implications for institutional policies and procedures. The work defines and elucidates migration and well-being, and the relationship between the two from a global perspective. The findings suggest that of study of migration and well-being should be examined with caution, as it is still in its infancy. There is a need for optimised data, particularly data that can aid in our understanding of the impacts and consequences of migration more broadly, as well as data that can aid in our understanding of the effects and outcomes of migration more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mortality and morbidity are two crucial components to assess the standard of the health system of a nation. This paper examines the spatial variation in the status of morbidity and mortality in Odisha using three rounds of Annual Health Survey Data conducted from 2010-13. Chronic and acute diseases were used to analyse the status of morbidity whereas crude death rate, infant mortality rate, neonatal, post-neonatal and under-five mortality rates were used to analyse mortality status in the state of Odisha. The composite index depicted the spatial variation in morbidity and mortality across the different districts. Five dimensions were identified through Principal Component analysis which indicated the association between the selected indicators of mortality and morbidity. It was found that the developed districts reported high morbidity and underdeveloped districts reported low morbidity. On the other hand, the underdeveloped districts reported high mortality and developed districts reported low mortality. The results of the study illustrate the importance of the provision of health infrastructures, improvement in education, medical awareness, governmental policies and schemes to improve the overall health status in Odisha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience is the ability to succeed despite a lot of barriers, hurdles, and obstacles that make it difficult for students to succeed in life. The resilience level of students is critical as it assists them in adjusting their life pressures, stresses, adapting to new environments and overcoming challenges. The current study aimed to investigate the gender difference in resilience among the students of IIT Kharagpur belonging to two different age groups. The sample consisted of 137 students, including 80 boys and 57 girls. The instruments used were Schutte's Emotional Intelligence Scale for emotional intelligence and the Brief Resilience Scale for resilience. Product Moment Correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the association between emotional intelligence, CGPA, and resilience. The findings revealed that female students are more resilient than male students, and there was no association between CGPA and resilience. However, there was a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and resilience. Studies on resilience could be helpful for educational psychologists, counselors, educational researchers, and curriculum developers to organize some programs to enhance the coping and resilience level of students, which may have a direct effect on students' performance and educational level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) is an emerging technique in gynaecology. The proposed advantages of the LESS include better cosmesis and reduction in pain. We report our preliminary experience with LESS in the treatment of adnexal pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a preoperative workup, LESS was offered to 37 patients between July 2009 and April 2015. All the procedures were carried out through a 2-2.5 cm transumbilical incision using conventional laparoscopic instruments. A single-incision, multiport (SIMP) approach (utilising one 7 mm and two 5 mm ports) was used in 27 patients and a homemade glove port (HMGP) was utilised in ten patients. All the specimens were extracted after placement in a plastic bag or inside the glove port avoiding contact with the wound. Umbilical fascial incisions were meticulously closed with non-absorbable sutures. RESULTS: Two patients with a history of previous abdominal surgery required omental adhesiolysis. Seventeen patients with breast cancer underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, ten had ovarian cystectomy (6 had cystadenoma, 2 had endometriotic cysts and 2 had dermoid cyst), six had excision of paraovarian cysts (one along with partial salpingectomy) and four with ruptured ectopic pregnancy underwent salpingectomy. LESS was completed in all but one patient, who required insertion of an additional 5 mm port. There were no intra- or post-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience confirms the feasibility and safety of LESS in a variety of benign adnexal pathology. Both the SIMP and HMGP approaches seem comparable. Performing LESS without the use of specialised access ports or instruments makes it cost effective and suitable for wider application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paragangliomas are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours arising from chromaffin tissue at extra-adrenal sites. The commonest site for a paraganglioma is the organ of Zuckerkandl. Traditional treatment of paraganglioma of organ of Zuckerkandl (POZ) involves open surgical resection, and only a few cases of laparoscopic approach to this pathology have been reported. We report the successful laparoscopic resection of a large POZ in a 22-year-old woman and review the previous cases reporting a laparoscopic approach to this rare tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy for patients with symptomatic or complicated gallstone disease is well established. Laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy (LESSchole) is a new modality in which the entire surgery is undertaken via a transumbilical incision. We describe a 33-year-old patient who underwent a LESS-chole in the 20th week of pregnancy for gallstone disease complicated by episodes of obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis. This is the first reported case of LESS-chole performed using conventional laparoscopic instruments. The technical aspects as well as the various perioperative measures utilized to undertake this procedure safely are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of the laparoscopic excision of a lipoma of parietal peritoneum (LPP). It cites the case of a 79-year-old man presented with right upper abdominal pain of eight months duration, leading to his abdominal examination and has undergone a laparoscopic surgery. It notes the confirmation that LPP served as the straightforward treatment of the condition.

Background: Malfunction of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters is a frequent complication and has traditionally been treated with a laparotomy. We present our experience with minimally invasive surgical (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic) salvage of CAPD catheters., Materials and Methods: Between October 2003 and June 2013, 19 patients (13 males and 6 females with a mean age of 37 years [range 28-64]) underwent minimally invasive laparoscopic salvage of malfunctioning CAPD catheters. These catheters had been placed with either a percutaneous or open technique and had been in place for a mean of 4.5 months (range 2-18 months). All the salvage procedures were performed under general anaesthesia using one 10 mm and two or three 5 mm ports. The various manoeuvres undertaken to re-establish catheter function included correct positioning the catheter and anchoring it to the pelvic peritoneum, clearing the fibrin clot/sheath, freeing up the omentum/bowel/taenia coli. In addition, all patients underwent an omentopexy., Results: Laparoscopic salvage could be completed in 18 patients with good catheter inflow and outflow established at the end of the surgery and one patient underwent thoracoscopic salvage. The median operative time was 63 min (range 45-96 min) and median post-operative hospital stay was 2 days (range 2-5 days). Low volume dialysis was commenced the day after surgery and full volume dialysis by the 10 th day. There were no intra- or post-operative complications. All the catheters were functioning at the end of 6-month follow-up., Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery is a valid, safe and efficacious way of salvaging malfunctioning CAPD catheters. This modality reduces the chances of re-formation of adhesions, ensures rapid recovery, reduced wound-related complications and allows for early institution of peritoneal dialysis., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest