Are we Building a Better World with ICTs? Empirically Examining this Question in the Domain of Public Health in India

As social scientists engaged in Information Technologies for Development (IT4D), a question we need to necessarily engage with is “are we building a better world with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)?” This question, first posed by Professor Geoff Walsham in the IS field, was the topic of my plenary discussion at the IFIP 9.4 meeting in Jamaica 2014, and had now been further developed to this “view from practice” paper for this journal. A first step in this paper has been the reformulation of the question which Professor Walsham raised: “What distortions and obstacles are created by the historical, material, and institutional conditions, and how these shape our efforts of ICTs creating a better world?” This reformulation is done to bring in more explicitly the political dimension into the question, and to nuance the technological deterministic argument implied in the question of technology (always) creating a better world. Taking an empirical example of an ICT intervention from the public health sector in India, deliberately chosen to emphasize distortions typically seen is similar Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) projects, the analysis focuses on understanding the conditions of distortions, why they occur, and what can be done differently to contribute to our notion of a better world.     

Liquid convection effects on the pushing-engulfment transition of insoluble particles by a solidifying interface: Part I. Analytical calculation of the lift forces

During the solidification of a liquid containing insoluble particles, the particles can be instantaneously engulfed, or continuously pushed, or pushed and subsequently engulfed. A critical velocity for the pushing-engulfment transition is observed experimentally. Most models proposed to date ignore the complications arising from the liquid convection ahead of the solid-liquid interface. They simply solve the balance between the attractive drag force exercised by the liquid on the particle and the repulsive interfacial force. This work is an effort to calculate analytically the lift forces (Saffman and Magnus forces) under certain assumptions regarding the nature of fluid flow ahead of the solid/liquid interface. This makes possible the quantitative evaluation of the three experimentally observed regimes occurring during particle-interface interaction: (1) at low convection—no effect on the critical velocity for the particle engulfment transition; (2) at intermediate convection—increased critical velocity; (3) at high convection—no particle-interface interaction. The model was applied to evaluate the gravity level required for microgravity experimental work on particle pushing where the effect of liquid convection during solidification is negligible. This is necessary to validate existing theoretical models that do not take into account fluid flow parallel to the solidification interface.     

Information technology in developing countries: A need for theory building∗

Abstract

The use of information technology (IT) in developing countries has attracted a considerable amount of attention in recent years. However, the research in this area is largely fragmented, and there is a need to consolidate efforts in order to make research more effective. Theory can provide a basis for this consolidation process by allowing communication between different researchers and also between researchers and practitioners. The primary objective of this paper is to describe aspects of the state of existing theory in the field of IT in developing countries, and discuss possible research directions for the future. A total of 199 articles were analyzed to describe existing research themes, and future directions are discussed in terms of level of analysis, research methods, and research reports.     

A novel strategy for fabricating zirconia implants with a trabecular biomimetic porous surface

For successful osseointegration of load-bearing implants, an improved bone–implant contact area through a trabecular porous surface resulting in minimized stress shielding effect is highly desirable. We propose a novel strategy of green net shaping a ceramic dough, combined with a reticular foam replica method and gradient coating, to fabricate biomimetic porosity in a customizable ceramic dental implant for the first time. About 85 vol% porosity and 300–600-μm pore size were evident in microCT and electron microscopy of the sintered samples, suitable for bone ingrowth. Excellent integrity at the interface along with homogeneous distribution of secondary alumina phase in zirconia matrix was achieved, despite the difference in the green state powder loading between the dough and the slurry.     

The role of communication practices in the strengthening of counter networks: Case experiences from the health care sector of Mozambique

In this article we provide a theoretically informed empirical analysis of the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) within the primary health care (PHC) sector of Mozambique. The theoretical lens for this analysis is developed from Manuel Castells' (1996, 1997, 2001) ideas on the network society and counter domination. These ideas help us to conceptualize the communicative action required to strengthen the PHC sector as a “counter network,” which has the normative aim to strengthen the health information system (HIS) as a key strategy to improve health care delivery. Taking an informational perspective, the role of communication is highlighted as playing an important constitutive basis in the strengthening of this network. These conceptual ideas are applied to the empirical analysis of an ongoing project (the Health Information Systems Programme or HISP), and to analyze some key constraints and strategies for strengthening these networks. This study makes key contributions to both the theoretical and practical domains of HIS in developing countries. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Challenges in Moving to “Health Information for Action”: An Infrastructural Perspective From a Case Study in Tajikistan

Health information systems (HIS) in developing countries are mainly characterized as being “data led,” with vast amounts of data being routinely collected, but with limited evidence of them being used “for action.” While past research and practice have made significant progress in understanding issues contributing to this situation, limited advancement has been made as to how to redress the situation. Further, infrastructure issues impeding data use have also not been significantly highlighted in existing research. Drawing on a longitudinal case of the design, development and implementation of HIS in Tajikistan, we argue that a reason for this weak progress has been the rather narrow focus on technology, ignoring the broader issues that influence its uptake and use. We explore this through an “infrastructure” lens to enable a more holistic perspective to understand complex socio-technical networks with a multiplicity of interests, actors and technologies in play which need to be aligned. A key contribution of this paper is the identification of facets of a health information infrastructure which helps to identify both the constraints and opportunities in making a transition from a data-led to an action-led system.     

请不要留下你的碳足迹

公司必须将IT视为实现碳减排达标的重要组成部分,当下的观望态度会令他们日后陷入巨大的竞争劣势     

Enhanced β-galactosidase production by supplementing whey with cauliflower waste

Among the five Kluyveromyces marxianus strains tested for β-galactosidase production, K. marxianus NCIM 3465 showed maximum enzyme activity of 1.62 IU mg⁻¹ dry weight. Different levels (5–25%, w/v) of dried cauliflower waste were incorporated into whey to evaluate the effect of its supplementation on enzyme production. Although a marginal increase in enzyme production was seen by incorporating 5% and 10% cauliflower waste in whey, nearly 15% increase in β-galactosidase production was observed when cauliflower waste level was increased to 20% compared with whey alone. Supplementing whey with 20% cauliflower waste also decreased the production time. Lactose concentration in whey, mainly responsible for increasing the biological oxygen demand load of the effluent water, decreased from 4.2% to nearly 0% at 24 h. Thus, this study demonstrated that both these by-products/residues could be effectively used for β-galactosidase production at commercial scale.