A Conceptual Framework for Measuring Benefits of E-Governance

E-Governance is about reform in governance, facilitated by the creative use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This leads to better access to information and quality services for citizens. Government invests large sums of money in implementing e-governance projects for benefiting the citizens. The main objective behind e-governance is to provide support and simplify governance for citizens. Therefore it is important to understand the types of benefits realized by citizens as a result of adopting e-governance services. The present paper discusses the benefits of e-governance by reviewing the previous studies done by various researchers. The researches on the benefits of e-governance in the contexts of various developing and developed countries are reviewed. Based on the review of prior research, a framework for categorizing the benefits of e-governance is proposed in the context of India, wherein four dimensions of benefits are identified i.e., Economic Benefits, Quality of Service (QoS) benefits, Quality of Governance (QoG) benefits and Personal Development. The scales for measuring these benefits are also proposed. The proposed framework can be used for empirically examining the extent of these benefits realized by the citizens and for studying the contribution of these benefits in the overall effectiveness of e-governance. Keywords: E-governance, Information and Communication Technology, Economic Benefits, Quality of Service, Quality of Governance, Indi

INVESTIGATION, THERAPY AND USE OF MOLECULAR BIOMARKER IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Abstract In this article we will discuss anatomy and physiology of kidney in the body. We will define causes, symptoms, stage, complications of chronic kidney disease and use of new technologies of biomarker. When the kidneys are not working properly creatinine levels increased in body, which cause the symptoms of renal failure. Hypertension, tiredness, headache, swelling face and ankles are the symptoms of kidney disease. The Biomarkers use is important for the chronic kidney disease. It is used to confirm the presence of disease. The molecular biomarker in GFR Test is the most important role in chronic renal disease. This study came across the biomarkers of identification of CKD. Disease-specific markers may supplement more general biomarkers. Biomarkers can range from simple physiologic measurements of pulse and blood pressure. Blood samples are test by the help of GFR Test. The GFR is estimated using serum creatinine, a readily available and inexpensive marker. However, serum creatinine varies with age, sex, muscle mass, dietary habits, and medications. Similarly, urine albumin reflects glomerular injury, glomerular permeability, or tubular injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and glomerular hyper filtration .Finally these biomarkers have confirmed the capability to identify early damage, localize injury. Whether the newly identified or kidney biomarkers of underlying pathophysiological processes are purely associations are need to be determine. An approach to bio-marker advance that incorporate mutual with regulatory science involving discipline that is required to make sure that balanced, proof based biomarker development keeps speed with technical and medical need

Curriculum Setting and Pre-Clinical Dental Students' Stress Level

Objectives: The first two years of Dental School are commonly known to be the most stressful in a student’s academic career. Very few studies, however, consider both the pressures of dental school and their causes. In order to understand the relationship between the curriculum and its stressful effects it has on the first (D1) and second-year (D2) dental students, a cross-sectional study was performed at the University of New England College of Dental Medicine (UNE-CDM) during the fall and spring semesters of the 2015-2016 academic year. Methods: 64 D1 and 63 D2 dental students were asked to voluntarily complete an anonymous 27-question survey regarding demographic characteristics and the curriculum-related stressors. Researchers utilized the modified Dental Environment Scale (DES) to rate the stress levels. Results: This study revealed that the D2 students felt more stress than the D1 students overall. D2 students experienced more anxiety in their Spring semester of their second year. In general, students who lived with their immediate family felt less stress. Students twenty-five and over experienced less stress than their younger classmates. Conclusions: The study provided valuable information about the current structure of the curriculum at a newly established dental school. This study could provide insight into curriculum-related stress among pre-clinical dental students, which could guide dental schools in making curricular changes that help alleviate stressors during particularly stressful semesters. Furthermore, the outcomes of this project could provide dental schools the information necessary to develop student support programs to help balance students’ lives and intense course loads

Seed nutritional quality in lentil (Lens culinaris) under different moisture regimes

The world’s most challenging environmental issue is climate change. Agricultural productivity and nutritional quality are both substantially threatened by extreme and unpredicted climate events. To develop climate resilient cultivars, stress tolerance along with the grain quality needs to be prioritized. Present study was planned to assess the effect of water limitation on seed quality in lentil, a cool season legume crop. A pot experiment was carried out with 20 diverse lentil genotypes grown under normal (80% field capacity) and limited (25% field capacity) soil moisture. Seed protein, Fe, Zn, phytate, protein and yield were recorded in both the conditions. Seed yield and weight were reduced by 38.9 and 12.1%, respectively, in response to stress. Seed protein, Fe, Zn, its availability as well as antioxidant properties also reduced considerably, while genotype dependent variation was noted with respect to seed size traits. Positive correlation was observed between seed yield and antioxidant activity, seed weight and Zn content and availability in stress. Based on principal component analysis and clustering, IG129185, IC559845, IC599829, IC282863, IC361417, IG334, IC560037, P8114 and L5126 were promising genotypes for seed size, Fe and protein content, while, FLIP-96-51, P3211 and IC398019 were promising for yield, Zn and antioxidant capacity. Identified lentil genotypes can be utilized as trait donors for quality improvement in lentil breedin

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 Delta variant replication and immune evasion

Abstract: The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in the state of Maharashtra in late 2020 and spread throughout India, outcompeting pre-existing lineages including B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.1.7 (Alpha)1. In vitro, B.1.617.2 is sixfold less sensitive to serum neutralizing antibodies from recovered individuals, and eightfold less sensitive to vaccine-elicited antibodies, compared with wild-type Wuhan-1 bearing D614G. Serum neutralizing titres against B.1.617.2 were lower in ChAdOx1 vaccinees than in BNT162b2 vaccinees. B.1.617.2 spike pseudotyped viruses exhibited compromised sensitivity to monoclonal antibodies to the receptor-binding domain and the amino-terminal domain. B.1.617.2 demonstrated higher replication efficiency than B.1.1.7 in both airway organoid and human airway epithelial systems, associated with B.1.617.2 spike being in a predominantly cleaved state compared with B.1.1.7 spike. The B.1.617.2 spike protein was able to mediate highly efficient syncytium formation that was less sensitive to inhibition by neutralizing antibody, compared with that of wild-type spike. We also observed that B.1.617.2 had higher replication and spike-mediated entry than B.1.617.1, potentially explaining the B.1.617.2 dominance. In an analysis of more than 130 SARS-CoV-2-infected health care workers across three centres in India during a period of mixed lineage circulation, we observed reduced ChAdOx1 vaccine effectiveness against B.1.617.2 relative to non-B.1.617.2, with the caveat of possible residual confounding. Compromised vaccine efficacy against the highly fit and immune-evasive B.1.617.2 Delta variant warrants continued infection control measures in the post-vaccination era

Root Trait Variation in Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) Germplasm under Drought Stress

Drought is the most critical environmental factor across the continents affecting food security. Roots are the prime organs for water and nutrient uptake. Fine tuning between water uptake, efficient use and loss determines the genotypic response to water limitations. Targeted breeding for root system architecture needs to be explored to improve water use efficiency in legumes. Hence, the present study was designed to explore root system architecture in lentil germplasm in response to drought. A set of 119 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) genotypes was screened in controlled conditions to assess the variability in root traits in relation to drought tolerance at seedling stage. We reported significant variation for different root traits in lentil germplasm. Total root length, surface area, root volume and root diameter were correlated to the survival and growth under drought. Among the studied genotypes, the stress tolerance index varied 0.19–1.0 for survival and 0.09–0.90 for biomass. Based on seedling survival and biomass under control and drought conditions, 11 drought tolerant genotypes were identified, which may be investigated further at a physiological and molecular level for the identification of the genes involved in drought tolerance. Identified lines may also be utilised in a lentil breeding program

Swiss Albino Mice: A Model of Research

30-31Some of the reasons why humans use animals for research purpose are discussed here

Swiss Albino Mice: A Model of Research

30-31Some of the reasons why humans use animals for research purpose are discussed here