Enactment of Technology Structures in ICT4D Projects : A Study of Computerization of Land Records in India

In this paper, we argue that technology use depends on the action of human agents and is influenced by the context in which this use takes place. We draw upon the literature on social shaping of technology, particularly that which looks at its usage, to base our claims. We have used a practice-oriented approach to studying technology, derived largely from Giddens’ structuration theory, to understand the use patterns of a widely acclaimed ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) project in India. We find that the technology structures enacted by users reflects differences in their existing social contexts and, therefore, technology, and particularly ICT designs need to be sensitive to these variations if they intend to serve any significant development purpose

China Walks the US-India Space Solar Power Dream

While India and the US make pledges about potential collaboration on space, others walk those promises and potentials. In the India-US context, space has remained a potential area of cooperation for the last decade or so whereas China, which has studied the Indo-US joint communications carefully, has made fast progress on space-based solar power (SBSP), in terms of devoting financial and human resources into the project. The need of the hour is for democracies like India, US and may be even Japan to come together, structure large collaborations around space and capture the political space in this regard. The political leadership in both India and the US should recognise the importance of it and act accordingly before it is too late

Case of the month

Description and diagnosis of 67 year-old Caucasian male patient admitted to the ER

Combination Photodynamic Therapy and Chemotherapy for Temozolomide-Resistant Glioblastoma

Polymer based nanoparticles (NPs) are useful vehicles for drug therapy in treating glioblastoma because of their ideal characteristics such as small size, to cross the blood-brain barrier, and bind to overexpressed transferrin receptors via peptide conjugation and surface modification of NPs. The use of a photosensitizer drug such as verteporfin, or BPD, in combination with a repurposed drug, Cediranib (CED), prepared as a nanoparticle therapy will provide the medical field with new research on the possible ways to treat glioblastoma. BPD-CED-loaded NPs have the potential to induce cytotoxicity in glioblastoma cells by 1) remotely triggering BPD through photodynamic therapy by irradiating laser at 690 nm and subsequent production of reactive oxygen species and 2) anti-angiogenesis mechanisms which may allow for longer progression free survival in patients and fewer systemic side effects due to the nanoparticle drug delivery. The specific aims of this research were to synthesize, using nanoprecipitation, and characterize pegylated and transferrin-peptide conjugated PLGA-CED NPs, PLGA-BPD NPs, and PLGA-BPD-CED NPs which were less than 100 nm in size for enhanced permeation and retention effects. NPs were characterized using dynamic light scatter (DLS) to determine particle size, PDI, and zeta potential, while absorbance spectroscopy was used to find encapsulation efficiency of loaded drugs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to obtain topographical and 3-D structural imaging of NPs. The cytotoxicity of the free drugs, targeted and non-targeted single and dual-drug-loaded NPs was evaluated using MTT assay in the U87-MG cell line. MTT assay results showed increased cell death by combination nanoparticles. The size, PDI, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of synthesized nanoparticles were acceptable. The major goal of this research was to investigate a new combination of photodynamic-chemotherapy drugs in NP formulation to provide for a more effective targeted cell therapy in glioblastoma patients

J/psi+gamma production at the LHC

The associated production of J/psi + gamma at the LHC is studied within the NRQCD framework. The signal we focus on is the production of a J/psi and an isolated photon produced back-to-back, with their transverse momenta balanced. It is shown that even for very large values of transverse momentum (pT of the order of 50 GeV) the dominant contribution to this process is not fragmentation. This is because of the fact that fragmentation-type contributions to the cross-section come from only a q q(bar) initial state, which is suppressed at the LHC. We identify gg-initiated diagrams higher-order in alpha(s) which do have fragmentation-type vertices. We find, however, that the contribution of these diagrams is negligibly small.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, 6 ps figures, Minor changes, Version to appear in Physical Review

A Comparative Case study on Different Parameters of Blowfish Algorithm with other Cryptographic Algorithms

As we use our data of high value or confidential one then we are in need of protection. An appropriate solution is always needed to maintain the significance, accuracy & sensitivity of data. So, now in this digital era security and privacy has become an important issue. So, throughout this paper we will have a comparative study cum analysis of cryptographic algorithms like Blowfish, DES, AES, and Diffie Hellman

How cities develop: Affinity Factor Model for forecasting city development and dispersion

This paper discusses the principles that determine firstly how cities evolve over seven phases in what I call the Affinity Factor model. Secondly, we see how Affinity Factor model may help understand how development spreads or distributes within the city. We observe how these principles impact selection of office location and how we can predict the future of developing business districts. We try to understand how house prices get influenced. Finally, based on the principles discussed, we try to work out a possible township model