Leveraging Technology to Improve Public Service Delivery: A Case of Implementation of National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) System in Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), India

During the recent past, the governments across the countries have started deploying information and communication technologies to offer public services in a more efficient and effective manner. The implementation of e-governance projects in developing countries requires an altogether different approach as the challenge is to offer public services to all the citizens including those who are less technology savvy. It can be safely inferred that a technology solution implemented in some developed countries may not be simply replicated in a developing country, which has its own set of challenges. In this paper the implementation of National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) in Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), a government body in India has been taken as an illustration to exemplify the effective use of technology to improve the service delivery in public sphere. Keywords: e-government, e-governance, e-payment, EPFO, ICT, India, NEFT, Provident Fund, Public Services, Social Security

Sectorial Trends Patterns and Prospects of Auto Component Industry in India

The paper highlights the growth of Indian Automobile Industry, particularly to the Indian Auto Component Industry relating with Investments and Foreign Direct Investment in the equity inflows, drawing comparison with the developments and growth of Automobile Industry domestically and globally. The growth of Indian Auto Component Industry in the first decade of the twenty first century is phenomenal. The Industry transformed gradually in stages from serving just Indian market, majority to replacement market, to global OEMs and replacement market. Now, the Auto Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has significance for global recognition and has a positive impact on GDP. It has played a vital role in the growth of Indian Automobile sector in last few years and in future as per Automotive Plan 2006-16, and Automotive sector five year plan 2012–17, as projected by Department of Heavy Industry.  The  growth  of  this  sub  sector  has  a  pivotal role  in  the developments and growth of Indian Automobile Industry and economy rather it is dependent on Automobile Industry growth, locally and worldwide. Keywords: OEMs, ACMA, ACT

NEUROPROTECTIVE ROLE OF BIMOCLOMOL IN ECTOPIC CELL CYCLE IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE: NEW INSIGHTS

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by the canonical formation of intracellular Lewy bodies comprising α-synuclein protein. Despite the knowledge of factors causing PD, it remains irreversible and incurable. Recent studies have highlighted the physiological and pathological involvement of cell cycle proteins in PD. The intriguing relationship between PARK2 and cyclin E which leads to upregulation of cyclin E in the absence of functional PARK2 contributes heavily in the onset and progression of PD. The objective of this study is to explore neuroprotective action of bimoclomol in attenuating the level of cyclin E and inhibiting post-mitotic cell division led neurodegeneration in PD. Methods: We employed various in silico methods such as drug-likeness parameters, namely, Lipinski filter analysis, Ghose parameters, Veber rules, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion - toxicity analysis, pharmacophore based target prediction, active site prediction, and molecular docking studies. Results: The binding of bimoclomol inhibited cyclin E, thereby, attenuating post-mitotic cell division led neurodegeneration in PD. Conclusion: This study outlines the novel potential of bimoclomol in attenuating cyclin E led neuronal death in PD which may be mediated by heat shock proteins (HSP70)

Rice Grain Quality: Current Developments and Future Prospects

Grain quality of rice is more complex than other cereals, since it is mostly consumed as whole grain in countries where it serves as a staple food. Quality characteristics are major determinants of market price and include milling, physical appearance, cooking, sensory, palatability, and nutritional value. A better understanding of the factors that control these quality characteristics will be useful for developing new breeding strategies. In this chapter, we will review the progress made toward improvement of important grain quality traits along with their genetic basis. This chapter will also give innovative insights into the knowledge gained through new tools that integrate grain quality with high yield in the present scenario of diminishing natural resources and environmental fluctuations

Herpes zoster in a healthy child-a rarity

Herpes zoster, caused by Varicella-zoster virus is generally considered to be a disease of the elderly. Recently, a number of studies have shown in the increased incidences in children. Herein, a case of Herpes zoster in an otherwise healthy child of 9 years of age is being reported, who did not have any evidence of immunosupression

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FLAVONOIDS FROM Sesamum indicum

Natural  substances  have  long  served  as  sources  of therapeutic  drugs.  Many  substances  have  been  derived  from traditional medicines. The plants are rich in secondary metabolites. The medicinal properties of these plants have been attributed to the biochemicals present in the plant materials. In addition to their role in  human  and  animal  nutrition,  knowledge  of  micronutrients  and phytochemical  composition  is  fundamental  to  the  understanding  of modes and mechanisms of action of medicinal plants in general. In the  present  investigation,  quercetin  and  kaempferol  have  been isolated  and  identified  from  stem,  leaves  and  unorganized  cultures of  Sesamum  indicum  and  maintained  by  frequent  subculturings  on Murashige  and  Skoog’s  medium  (1962)  supplemented  with NAA+BAP(5.0+0.5mg/L).  The study showed that maximum content of quercetin and kaempferol was observed in 6 weeks old calli and minimum  in  stem  of  S.  indicum.  The  structure  of  the  isolated compound  was  established  on  the  basis  of  physical,  chemical  test and spectroscopic evidences.Key words: Flavonoids,  quercetin,  kaempferol, Sesamum indicu