Citizens’ Perception About M-Government Services: Results from an Exploratory Survey

The development of mobile technology is facilitating the transformation in a way that governments deliver their services. Mobile government is one area that has received very little research, but it can have a tremendous impact on the way citizens engage with their government. This research analyses the data gathered from 81 respondents through online survey on the various aspects of mobile government and collects their views on some of the key questions related to the use of mobile government. The findings showed that although citizens are aware of the possibilities they hardly used mobile devices as a direct communication channel with government. Most users tend to use social media platforms and social media is used as an intermediary between government and citizens. The findings of this research also indicated that although the users are well aware of m-government services and own smartphones, only a handful of them use their mobiles for accessing government services

Evaluation of the ecosystem services provided by the Kailadevi wildlife sanctuary, Rajasthan, India

Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), in Rajasthan (India), lost its Tiger (Panthera tigris) population in 2000, though since 2019 Tigers have over-spilled from the adjacent Ranthambhore National Park (RNP). Though protected, the forests of KWLS are depleted through exploitation by resident and migratory human communities. This study aims to reveal the many societal values generated within KWLS by assessing ecosystem service flows and values on a systemic basis, supported by substantial primary fieldwork. A VALUE+ approach used local interviews, primary fieldwork and literature to determine ecosystem service provision by KWLS, where possible with monetary representation. Conservative values estimated for 21 ecosystem services included: (1) benefit flows of INR 84.47 billion year-1; (2) natural capital stock of INR 367.3 billion; and (3) unquantified ecosystem services. Monetary values are purely illustrative representations largely based on surrogate markets, but nonetheless indicate the range and scale of mainly unappreciated societal benefits. Comparison of KWLS with RNP illustrates differences in service provision between lesser and highly protected ecosystems, including the potential to enhance services such as ecotourism and space for re-established Tiger and other wildlife populations, but also potential disbenefits for those currently extracting resources from KWLS who may become displaced or require compensation

Re-examining the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT): Towards a Revised Theoretical Model

YesBased on a critical review of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study first formalized an alternative theoretical model for explaining the acceptance and use of information system (IS) and information technology (IT) innovations. The revised theoretical model was then empirically examined using a combination of meta-analysis and structural equation modelling (MASEM) techniques. The meta-analysis was based on 1600 observations on 21 relationships coded from 162 prior studies on IS/IT acceptance and use. The SEM analysis showed that attitude: was central to behavioural intentions and usage behaviours, partially mediated the effects of exogenous constructs on behavioural intentions, and had a direct influence on usage behaviours. A number of implications for theory and practice are derived based on the findings

Assessing the feasibility of integrating ecosystem-based with engineered water resource governance and management for water security in semi-arid landscapes: A case study in the Banas catchment, Rajasthan, India

Much of the developing world and areas of the developed world suffer water vulnerability. Engineering solutions enable technically efficient extraction and diversion of water towards areas of demand but, without rebalancing resource regeneration, can generate multiple adverse ecological and human consequences. The Banas River, Rajasthan (India), has been extensively developed for water diversion, particularly from the Bisalpur Dam from which water is appropriated by powerful urban constituencies dispossessing local people. Coincidentally, abandonment of traditional management, including groundwater recharge practices, is leading to increasingly receding and contaminated groundwater. This creates linked vulnerabilities for rural communities, irrigation schemes, urban users, dependent ecosystems and the multiple ecosystem services that they provide, compounded by climate change and population growth. This paper addresses vulnerabilities created by fragmented policy measures between rural development, urban and irrigation water supply and downstream consequences for people and wildlife. Perpetuating narrowly technocentric approaches to resource exploitation is likely only to compound emerging problems. Alternatively, restoration or innovation of groundwater recharge practices, particularly in the upper catchment, can represent a proven, ecosystem-based approach to resource regeneration with linked beneficial socio-ecological benefits. Hybridising an ecosystem-based approach with engineered methods can simultaneously increase the security of rural livelihoods, piped urban and irrigation supplies, and the vitality of river ecosystems and their services to beneficiaries. A renewed policy focus on local-scale water recharge practices balancing water extraction technologies is consistent with emerging Rajasthani policies, particularly Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan (‘water self-reliance mission’). Policy reform emphasising recharge can contribute to water security and yield socio-economic outcomes through a systemic understanding of how the water system functions, and by connecting goals and budgets across multiple, currently fragmented policy areas. The underpinning principles of this necessary paradigm shift are proven and have wider geographic relevance, though context-specific research is required to underpin robust policy and practical implementation

Application of advanced algorithms for enhancement in machining performance of Inconel 718

366-376Inconel 718 is the most promising nickel-based alloy finding wide usage in engineering applications because of its good mechanical properties. However, this alloy is difficult to machine and results in poor surface quality after machining. Optimization of parameters is essential for improving machining performance of this costly and hard to cut material. The research discusses estimation of optimum parameters using teaching-learning based optimization (TLBO) and compares them to those obtained by genetic algorithm (GA) in turning of Inconel 718. The parameters cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut are selected as independent variables. The experiments are designed using central composite design of response surface methodology for the modelling of turning process. Surface roughness, tool flank wear and cutting temperature are selected as response parameters for minimization. The adequacy of modified models developed by response surface methodology are tested and then utilized for formulation of multi-objective optimization function. The function is solved by GA and TLBO. After comparing optimization results, the best algorithm is used for confirmation test. Convergence of TLBO algorithm is much faster as compared to GA even though there is very little difference in the optimum values of parameters

Identification of Complement Regulatory Domains in Vaccinia Virus Complement Control Protein

Vaccinia virus encodes a homolog of the human complement regulators named vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP). It is composed of four contiguous complement control protein (CCP) domains. Previously, VCP has been shown to bind to C3b and C4b and to inactivate the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases by accelerating the decay of the classical pathway C3 convertase and (to a limited extent) the alternative pathway C3 convertase, as well as by supporting the factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b and C4b (the subunits of C3 convertases). In this study, we have mapped the CCP domains of VCP important for its cofactor activities, decay-accelerating activities, and binding to the target proteins by utilizing a series of deletion mutants. Our data indicate the following. (i) CCPs 1 to 3 are essential for cofactor activity for C3b and C4b; however, CCP 4 also contributes to the optimal activity. (ii) CCPs 1 to 2 are enough to mediate the classical pathway decay-accelerating activity but show very minimal activity, and all the four CCPs are necessary for its efficient activity. (iii) CCPs 2 to 4 mediate the alternative pathway decay-accelerating activity. (iv) CCPs 1 to 3 are required for binding to C3b and C4b, but the presence of CCP 4 enhances the affinity for both the target proteins. These results together demonstrate that the entire length of the protein is required for VCP's various functional activities and suggests why the four-domain structure of viral CCP is conserved in poxviruses

Citizens' perception about M-government services: Results from an exploratory survey

The development of mobile technology is facilitating the transformation in a way that governments deliver their services. Mobile government is one area that has received very little research, but it can have a tremendous impact on the way citizens engage with their government. This research analyses the data gathered from 81 respondents through online survey on the various aspects of mobile government and collects their views on some of the key questions related to the use of mobile government. The findings showed that although citizens are aware of the possibilities they hardly used mobile devices as a direct communication channel with government. Most users tend to use social media platforms and social media is used as an intermediary between government and citizens. The findings of this research also indicated that although the users are well aware of m-government services and own smartphones, only a handful of them use their mobiles for accessing government services.Information and Communication Technolog