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Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research are globally recognised as engines of growth and development and indicators of citizens' well-being. Studies have continuously highlighted the unequal access and participation in STEM higher education based on class, caste, gender, disability and other markers of identity. This research paper investigates the underrepresentation of women in STEM at the Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) in India. IITs are India's top elite institutions that open window of opportunities to students across the world. The study uses the data available from the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE), the Council of Indian Institute of Technology and the websites of the IITs. The findings indicate a significant gap between males and females in faculty positions at IITs. Furthermore, the study finds that the underrepresentation of women faculty differs across the STEM disciplines at IITs in India. It needs more gender-just affirmative action policies such as intersectional reservation for women in STEM academic careers, funding, legal protection against harassment, and representation of women in various committees and leadership positions.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. To maintain the pace of development, local government institutions (LGIs) in many countries have started adapting innovative good practices. These practices are being generated as an offshoot of some projects, initiated by local governments, sub-national and/or national governments. However, these innovations are generally so closely associated, and depend so much on those projects, that once the projects officially phase out, the good practices also start falling apart. Those training institutions for LGIs in Asian countries are imparting training and applying participatory methodologies like peer learning. This enhances the capacities of the functionaries of the respective LGIs. However, the learning that emerges from the good practices, that have evolved, is often missed out in these course curricula, despite the fact that both the good practices and capacity for generating good practices, exist at the local level in the form of tacit learning. The Horizontal Learning Process (HLP) helps to overcome the inherent limitations of existing training methodology by capturing, upscaling, and nurturing tacit learning based on good practices. This paper highlights the concept and salient features of HLP, its evolution, process and steps, application areas, achievements and challenges--especially in the context of the SDGs and the role of LGIs.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. To maintain the pace of development, local government institutions (LGIs) in many countries have started adapting innovative good practices. These practices are being generated as an offshoot of some projects, initiated by local governments, sub-national and/or national governments. However, these innovations are generally so closely associated, and depend so much on those projects, that once the projects officially phase out, the good practices also start falling apart. Those training institutions for LGIs in Asian countries are imparting training and applying participatory methodologies like peer learning. This enhances the capacities of the functionaries of the respective LGIs. However, the learning that emerges from the good practices, that have evolved, is often missed out in these course curricula, despite the fact that both the good practices and capacity for generating good practices, exist at the local level in the form of tacit learning. The Horizontal Learning Process (HLP) helps to overcome the inherent limitations of existing training methodology by capturing, upscaling, and nurturing tacit learning based on good practices. This paper highlights the concept and salient features of HLP, its evolution, process and steps, application areas, achievements and challenges--especially in the context of the SDGs and the role of LGIs.

Purpose: It is still unclear how Asian universities incorporate the theory or practice of sustainable development (SD) in their research and education programmes. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to report on a study that has examined how universities in Asian countries handle and address matters related to SD. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a bibliometric analysis and an online survey-method. The online survey data were analysed through descriptive analysis and one-sample student's "t"-test. Findings: The study indicates that there is considerable variation among the Asian countries regarding sustainability practices in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEIs in far eastern countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are perceived to demonstrate more sustainability practices. Research limitations/implications: Even though a substantial number of participants participated in the survey, it did not cover all Asian countries. The online survey was carried out over a limited period of time, and not all HEIs in the field may have received information about the study. Practical implications: Asia is the largest continent facing a number of sustainability challenges. In this context, the contribution of HEIs is very important. The findings of the current study may serve as a baseline for Asian HEIs to take more initiatives towards SD goals, as HEIs are responsible for the education and training of hundreds of thousands of students who will be occupying key positions in industry, government or education in the coming years. Originality/value: The study contributes to the existing literature in two distinct ways. First, it was possible to develop a comprehensive instrument to measure sustainability practices in HEIs. Second, this study has filled the gap of the scarcity of studies regarding sustainability practices in HEIs in Asia.

Japan and India are the two oldest and largest democracies in Asia. Since the inception of their diplomatic relations in 1952, the two countries have maintained a cordial relationship. They remain aloof during the Cold War period due to their ideological differences. After that, India following the economic liberalization followed by the "Look East" policy in the post-Cold War period had a positive impact on bilateral relations. This took a sudden gap due to India's second Pokhran nuclear test in 1998 followed by Japanese economic sanctions. However, the relations normalized soon when Mori visited India along with other South Asian nations in 2000. The bilateral relations further improved when the two countries signed the "strategic orientation of Japan-India global partnership" during Koizumi's visit in 2005. Since then, the two countries have been engaging in different aspects of strategic partnership, and a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific along with the "rule-based order" has always been their priority. Thus, different scholars and statesmen from both countries started the discussion on building a new architecture of 'rule-based order' in the Indo-Pacific. To that end, Japan and India have continuously engaged themselves in bilateral and multilateral dialogue such as G4, Shangri-La Dialogue and Quad. Thus, this paper will try to see how far the two countries can persuade the international community to push the concept of "rule-based order" in the Indo-Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of persistent heavy fog in northern India during winter creates hazardous situations for transportation systems and disrupts the lives of about 400 million people. The meteorological factors responsible for its genesis and predictability are not yet completely understood in this region. Given its high potential for socioeconomic impact, there is a pressing need for extensive research that understands the inherently complex nature of the phenomena through field observations and modeling exercises. WiFEX is a first-of-its-kind multi-institutional initiative dealing with intensive ground-based measurement campaigns for developing a suitable fog forecasting capability under the aegis of the smart cities mission of India. Measuring campaigns were conducted during the 2015–20 winters at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, covering more than 90 dense fog events. The field experiments involved extensive suites of in situ instruments and gathered simultaneous observations of micrometeorological conditions, radiative fluxes, turbulence, droplet/aerosol microphysics, aerosol optical properties, fog water chemistry, and vertical thermodynamical structure to describe the environmental stability in which fog develops. An operational modeling framework, the WRF Model, was set up to provide fog predictions during the measurement campaign. These field observations helped to interpret the strengths and deficiencies in the numerical modeling framework. Four scientific objectives were pursued: (i) the life cycle of optically thin and thick fog, (ii) microphysical properties in the polluted boundary layer, (iii) fog water chemistry, gas–aerosol partitioning during the fog life cycle, and (iv) numerical prediction of fog. This paper presents an overview of WiFEX and a synthesis of selected observational and modeling analyses/findings related to the abovementioned scientific topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU has stepped up its efforts to reinforce its presence in Asia, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, due to its increasing geo-strategic importance for the EU, high mutual interconnectedness, as well as trade and investment engagement. In September 2021, the EU adopted its first Indo-Pacific Strategy. The aim of the paper is to point out the development of the partnership between the EU and the Asian (Indo-Pacific) region based on an evaluation of an analysis of trade and investment cooperation between the EU and India with a focus on mutual trade and investment relations between the Visegrad Group countries and India (and point out the comparative advantages that the V4 countries might use to extend mutual trade cooperation). The paper is based on trade analysis and uses the empirical methods of RCA and Grubel-Lloyd indices. There is room for expanding cooperation between the V4 countries and India in deepening intra-industry trade in commodities where the countries have a similar RCA profile. Moreover, the cooperation could complement bilateral relations between both regions. Implications for Central European audience: The paper evaluates V4's competitiveness and assesses V4's export potential (RCA index) with India and potential trade prospects with India (RCA1) to confirm that there is room for expanding trade cooperation between the regions. We consider the V4 countries to be one of the regions that could deepen its mutual relations with India and intensify political dialogue and, therefore, take mutual cooperation and relations to the next level as well as deepen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Imago Mundi is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Insect Biodiversity & Systematics is the property of Tarbiat Modares University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We analyze the role of public expenditures on secondary and higher education for achieving inclusive growth, using a computable general equilibrium model of India. Our policy simulations show that increasing public education expenditure leads to higher growth and lower inequality. Expenditure on secondary education leads to better outcomes compared to equivalent expenditure on higher education. Exogenous technological progress enhances the positive effects of public education spending. The findings of the paper call for policy initiatives to boost spending on secondary education, as well as technological progress, for achieving inclusive growth in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than forty million people suffer from depression in India. A lack of awareness, stigma related to mental health issues, and limited accessibility to treatment services magnify the profound personal and societal impact of depression. Given the rise of smartphones in India, mobile technology can help alleviate some of these depression-related challenges. Aims and method: The aim of this paper is to investigate the essential features of an India targeted depression smartphone app. We conducted an online survey to profile the needs of individuals with depression in India, which varied based on variables such as socioeconomic background, age, level of awareness toward depression, and the extent of exposure to mental health stigma. We also conducted a systematic evaluation of depression apps currently available to Indian users to investigate the user needs that these apps met and the needs that they failed to meet. Based on our findings, we made a set of recommendations related to the essential features of a future app targeted at managing depression in India. Results: Presently available depression apps fall short in providing some significant features such as local language options, content in audio and video formats, and user location matched resources. These gaps make these apps less than fully relevant to a diverse set of Indian users. Conclusions: It is essential to provide depression-related information in a targeted manner depending upon each user's particular needs and context. Potential customizations, such as offering content in local languages and flexible formats (e.g. audio, video, and text); and providing user-relevant diagnostic tools and location matched treatment resources can help improve the suitability of the app for diverse users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandemics are associated with exponential mortality rates, creating heavy burdens on communities. The high death rates affect how societies traditionally conduct funerary practices as governments impose regulations on the preparation of bodies and the conduct of the funerals to stem the transmission of the virus. In societies associated with deeply entrenched customary funerary practices, such limitative measures attract defiance. The tensions between public health objectives and funerary traditions have played out in a number of societies resulting in litigation. At the core of the disputes is whether the right to manifest religion or belief can be upheld, and relatedly, whether the dead have rights to dignified burials irrespective of pandemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some courts had to grapple with these difficult questions. In this paper, I take a jurisprudential excursion on some disputes in Kenya, India and Sri Lanka to assess the adjudication of conflicts which arose from COVID-19 pandemic deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are non-biodegradable substances that can sustain our environment for up to a century. What is more worrying is the incapability of modern technologies to annihilate MPs from om environment. One ramification of MPs is their impact on every kind of life form on this planet, which has been discussed ahead; that is why these substances are surfacing in everyday discussions of scholars and researchers. This paper discusses the overview of the global occurrence, abundance, analysis, and remediation techniques of MPs in the environment. This paper primarily reviews the event and abundance of MPs in coastal sediments and agricultural soil of three major Asian countries, India, China, and Japan. A significant concentration of MPs has been recorded from these countries, which affirms its strong presence and subsequent environmental impacts. Concentrations such as 73,100 MPs/kg in Indian coastal sediments and 42,960 particles/kg in the agricultural soil of China is a solid testimony to prove their massive outbreak in our environment and require urgent attention towards this issue. Conclusions show that human activities, rivers, and plastic mulching on agricultural fields have majorly acted as carriers of MPs towards coastal and terrestrial soil and sediments. Later, based on recorded concentrations and gaps, future research studies are recommended in the concerned domain; a dearth of studies on MPs influencing Indian agricultural soil make a whole sector and its consumer vulnerable to the adverse effects of this emerging contaminant. [Display omitted] • Film & fibre shaped microplastics (MPs) are more abundant in India, China and Japan. • Plastic mulching is the root cause of major MPs pollution in soil and sediment. • Estuarian soil/sediment are more prone to MPs pollution than terrestrial and coastal. • FT-IR is highly used for MPs identification; mass spectrometry & microscopy are least. • MPs work as a vector for metals, PPCPs, surfactants and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased detection of thyroid nodules in the human population has led to an increase in the number of thyroid surgeries without an improvement in survival outcomes. Though the choice for surgery is straightforward in malignant thyroid nodules, the decision is far more complex in those nodules that get categorized into indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITN) by fine needle aspiration. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop a tool that will aid in decision-making among the ITN. In this context, the development of various molecular testing (MT) panels has helped to confirm or rule out malignancy, reducing unnecessary surgeries and potentially guiding the extent of surgery as well. Currently, such tests are widely used among the Western population but these MT panels are not used by the South Asian population because of non-availability of validated panels and the high cost involved. There is a need to develop a suitable panel which is population-specific and validate the same. In this review, we would focus on current trends in the management of ITN among the South Asian population and how to develop a novel MT panel which is cost-effective, with high diagnostic accuracy obviating the need for expensive panels that already exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia is the property of DADPPRI UI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Using a systems analysis approach, the authors analyse forced child labour incidents in Indian cottonseed farms in the years 2003/04 and 2014/15, and explore the role played by human factors in contributing to the illegal use of child labour in the Indian agri-food sector. National policies on labour welfare and rights are reviewed through the case studies used as a lens to explore wider issues associated with forced child labour in supply chains. The study highlights the evolution of organised crime in India with regards to the reliance on forced child labour, using the four conceptual dimensions of modern slavery established by the UK Home Office in 2017. The study does identify limitations and flaws associated with designing policies based on a "work-as-imagined" philosophy and demonstrates how the use of maturity modelling can explore how exploitation, corruption and organised crime is framed and can become more formalised over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to identify and elucidate on the different forms and antecedents of customer misbehaviour in the service industry of the emerging country particularly India. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a bibliometric analysis approach using bibliophagy software and thematic analysis to reveal four themes: "forms of customer misbehaviour"; "antecedents of such misbehaviour"; "changes in the personal and work behaviour of employees and management"; and "measures to reduce customer misbehaviour". These are combined and interrelated to extant theories and empirical data to ultimately produce a comprehensive model on the subject. Findings: This study finds the antecedents and analyses different forms of customer misbehaviour from Asian customer perspectives. A thematic output is provided which policymakers and other researchers can use to develop various policies and which other related research could use as inputs in the area or consumer behaviour and emerging countries. Research limitations/implications: This study contributes to the field of behavioural studies, especially in the Asian context. Policymakers and future researchers can use these findings to understand different customer-related issues from Asian customer perspective. However, the focus on the Indian consumer market as an emerging country in Asia limits the applicability and generalizability of the study for all emerging countries. Originality/value: The originality and value of this study is related to its pioneering use of bibliometric and thematic analysis from the Asian service context. The value of such research work is associated with both scholarly and executive implications. Regarding the latter, this study examines the myopic nature of uncivil behaviour and helps service firms to understand and manage its different forms, conclusively also providing practicable executive directions on the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The New Zealand (NZ) Ministry of Health ethnicity data protocols recommend that people of South Asian (SAsian) ethnicity, other than Indian, are combined with people of Japanese and Korean ethnicity at the most commonly used level of aggregation in health research (level two). This may not work well for perinatal studies, as it has long been observed that women of Indian ethnicity have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as perinatal death. It is possible that women of other SAsian ethnicities share this risk. Aims: This study was performed to identify appropriate groupings of women of SAsian ethnicity for perinatal research. Materials and Methods: National maternity and neonatal data, and singleton birth records between 2008 and 2017 were linked using the Statistics NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure. Socio‐demographic risk profiles and pregnancy outcomes were compared between 15 ethnic groups. Recommendations were made based on statistical analyses and cultural evaluation with members of the SAsian research community. Results: Similarities were observed between women of Indian, Fijian Indian, South African Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicities. A lower‐risk profile was seen among Japanese and Korean mothers. Risk profiles of women of combined Indian‐Māori, Indian‐Pacific and Indian‐New Zealand European ethnicity more closely represented their corresponding non‐Indian ethnicities. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we suggest a review of current NZ Ministry of Health ethnicity data protocols. We recommend that researchers understand the risk profiles of participants prior to aggregation of groups in research, to mitigate risks associated with masking differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As subsystems of the Asian summer monsoon, summer precipitation variations in India and the northern part of eastern China (NEC) are physically connected. This study noted that the connection has been significantly enhanced after 1999 compared to 1979-98, which is due to the strengthened water vapor transportation connection between the two regions. That is associated with interdecadal variations of the combined effects of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) on the northwest Pacific subtropical high (NWPSH) and the Indo-Pacific Walker cell. Against the background of La Niña, the strengthened NWPSH and Indo-Pacific Walker cell favor water vapor transport to India and the NEC since 1999. Accordingly, summer precipitation in the two regions increases simultaneously, leading to the enhancement of the summer precipitation teleconnection between them. In addition, the influence of TIO SSTAs and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) on Indo-Pacific circulations decreases, which further enhances the relative importance of ENSO on the summer precipitation in the two regions. However, during 1979-98, La Niña SSTAs has weak effects on the NWPSH and Indo-Pacific Walker cell, the negative TIO SSTAs significantly weaken NWPSH, and the negative IOD also obstructs the westward extension of the Indo-Pacific Walker cell. Circulations and water vapor transportation related to the Indian Ocean and NEC summer precipitation are inconsistent, resulting in a weak precipitation teleconnection between them. The above conclusions are also validated by extreme case analysis and CMIP6 models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic stresses generated during the passage of surface waves perturb most major plate boundaries and active volcanic/geothermal regions. The present investigation aims to understand and find evidence for dynamic triggering in the intraplate Kachchh Rift Basin, northwestern India. We analysed the local earthquake catalogues and waveforms of 36 teleseismic earthquakes with M w ≥ 7.5, which occurred between 2007 and 2017 and generated peak dynamic stresses of at least 1 kPa. The study manually examines the waveforms 24 hr before and after the teleseismic P wave and detects missing earthquakes by applying the matched filter technique. Notably, the analysis reveals that 6 out of 36 earthquakes (17 per cent of the analysed earthquakes) are responsible for triggering non-volcanic tremors or microearthquakes during the passage of surface waves and later. Although the triggering potential in the region seems insensitive to the amplitude of dynamic stresses imparted by the teleseismic surface waves, the direction of the incoming waves appears critical. The surface waves of events whose backazimuths are parallel to the strike of the active faults are capable of triggering. The triggered earthquakes lie along the Kachchh Mainland Fault, North Wagad Fault and South Wagad Fault, in the vicinity of the epicentre of the 2001 January 26, M w 7.7 Bhuj earthquake. The largest triggered event of magnitude 3.2 occurred ∼7 hr after the 2009 October 7, M w 7.7 Vanuatu event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resumen: Siguiendo el marco de Dingeldey et al. (2021), pero con un enfoque cualitativo, se analiza la segmentación legal del trabajo en China, la India, Malasia y Viet Nam, prestando atención a los niveles de exclusión y a las jerarquías de protección otorgada. El autor observa varios factores que diferencian a estos países de los del Norte y que determinan sus mercados de trabajo: el tamaño relativo de la población activa que opera fuera de la cobertura efectiva de la reglamentación laboral; la terminología jurídica, de difícil traducción a los idiomas occidentales; y la historia jurídica, especialmente en lo que respecta al desajuste entre los marcos jurídicos y el mercado laboral resultante del colonialismo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The usage of smartphone is interfering in many social activities including unwanted interference in the interpersonal communication. Eventually, people are becoming addicted to smartphones. In this context, the purpose of this study is to identify the factors impacting smartphone addiction (SPA) that causes disruption to social life. Design/methodology/approach: With inputs from literature and theories, some hypotheses have been formulated and a conceptual model has been developed. The model later has been validated statistically using structural equation modelling technique with survey method involving 302 smartphone users in India. Findings: The result shows that loneliness, stress and depression are the principal factors impacting addiction of smartphone to the individuals depending on their age and gender. Also, the addiction is found to be responsible for disruption of social life. Research limitations/implications: This study has scholarly and policy implications from the social perspectives. This study cannot be generalizable as it uses limited sample. Also, this study achieved 72% explanative power of the proposed model. This has been achieved with consideration of the existing variables. Consideration of other factors could have improved the model. Practical implications: This study provides an improved model which can be used by the policymakers and practitioners towards framing the appropriate policy regarding smartphone usage by the individuals. This study also highlights that there is a need of a regulatory authority to monitor and restrict the smartphone usage by the young individuals who may potentially become addicted to it. This study also highlights the need for an enforceable regulation for the content showing through smartphone. Originality/value: This study provides a unique theoretical model with an explanative power as high as 72%. There are limited studies which show the determinants of SPA and its consequences from social and psychological perspective in the Asian context. This study also adds to the body of knowledge regarding dark side of technology addiction. Thus, from these perspectives, this study can be considered as a unique study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on phylogenetic and morphological characters, we revise the systematics of the natricid genus Fowlea in Sri Lanka, comprising two morphospecies. The taxonomy of the Sri Lankan populations has long been controversial, and one of the species has, for more than a decade, been listed as Xenochrophis cf. piscator. Although the Sri Lankan populations are morphologically allied to Fowlea piscator in India, they are genetically highly divergent from the eastern Indian F. piscator sensu lato with a p-distance of 9.9–12.3%, and from southwestern Indian Fowlea species with a p-distance of 4.9–11.1% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Here, we resurrect Müller's (1887) variety, Tropidonotus quincunciatus var. unicolor, as a distinct taxon, elevate it to the species level, and assign it to the genus Fowlea. Therefore, the population so far recognized as X. cf. piscator will be treated hereafter as F. unicolor and we redescribe it and its holotype (by monotypy). We tentatively restrict this species to Sri Lanka and state the possibility of a population in southern India too. The second distinct species, Fowlea asperrima, which is endemic to Sri Lanka, has long been confused with its sympatric congener, F. unicolor comb. nov., and we designate a lectotype and redescribe it herein. Currently, nine species of the genus Fowlea are now recognized, but it is likely that further species (including those regarded as subjective synonyms) remain unrecognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indian pharmaceutical industry has assumed importance during the time of the pandemic. Historically, the absence of an intellectual property rights (IPR) regime in India helped reverse‐engineer products, leading to an exponential growth of the industry. This, however, disincentivised foreign direct investment (FDI) needed for innovation. The ratification of the Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement in 1995 increased the confidence of foreign investors, allowing FDI inflow into the sector. However, we argue that the mere adoption of TRIPS is not sufficient for FDI and that its enforcement along with other institutional factors such as corruption and political stability play a crucial role. We also take into account competition for FDI among similarly placed nations, in this case from China. Methodologically, we construct a pharmaceutical patent index that measures the legal framework of IP protection specifically for the sector. An ARDL model using data from 1990 to 2019 shows that while the introduction of IPRs helped the inflow of FDI, the enforcement of these rights, as measured by the strengthening of the patent index, has led to a decrease in FDI. Interestingly, our results also show that India's own core competencies such as improving political stability while reducing corruption and trade barriers were the most dominant determinants. Through developing a concise sector‐specific patent index and taking into account institutional determinants, FDI inflow is analysed in a manner not studied otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowing the pre-collisional extent of the northern Indian Plate margin ('Greater India') is vital to understanding the tectonic evolution of the India–Asia collision and the formation of the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen. However, suitable geological units for palaeomagnetic investigations along the Himalayan belt are limited, which makes it difficult to reconstruct Greater India during the pre-collisional period in Late Cretaceous to Palaeogene. Often the palaeomagnetic results from the Zongpu Formation at Gamba in southern Tibet (∼88.5°E) were used for estimates of Greater India, but their validity was recently questioned. As a contribution to closing the data gap, we performed a palaeomagnetic study of the Palaeocene/Lower Eocene Dibling limestone (DL) in the western Tethyan Himalaya of Zanskar (34.0°N/76.6°E). The results from 27 sites revealed a well grouping (k  = 71.7) syntectonic magnetization with best grouping at 52 per cent unfolding. The remagnetization of the DL was acquired shortly after ∼54 Ma, at the latest at ∼49 Ma, and is probably carried by fine-grained magnetite formed during the early orogenic phase. Assuming proportional tilting of the fold limbs, the corresponding palaeolatitude of 11.8 ± 2.4°N suggests a maximum Greater India extent of 810 ± 420 km and a first continental contact with the southern Eurasian margin at ∼12°N in the western part of the suture zone. The tectonostratigraphic equivalence of the DL with the Zongpu Formation at Gamba and a great similarity in their magnetic properties supports a secondary origin of the Gamba results. Through understanding the mechanism of remagnetization in the DL, an early orogenic remanence acquisition is also indicated for the Zongpu Formation, and thus the Gamba results deserve further credit for Greater India reconstructions. However, we note a large inconsistency of the available Late Cretaceous and Palaeogene palaeolatitude data from the Tethyan Himalaya by up to ∼20°, corresponding to differences of up to ∼2000 km in the size of Greater India. These discrepancies require further palaeomagnetic work in the Tethyan Himalaya, and in particular we recommend comparative studies at same locations and of same units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three populations of Amaranthus powellii were discovered in Kerala region (SE-India), representing the first record of this species for the national flora. A morphological description based on the Indian plants, as well as ecological data are given. A preliminary list of all the Amaranthus species occurring in India, which was never published during the last 136 years, is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanotis deccanensis P. Yugandhar, P. Sivaramakrishna, N. Savithramma & L.J. Singh, a new species from Andhra Pradesh, India is described and illustrated, and its conservation status is assessed. The glabrous stem with long internodes, cobwebby leaf sheath and lamina, terminal inflorescence with 2–4 cincinni, bracts longer than cincinni, cobwebby bracteoles, slightly reflexed upper bracteoles, cobwebby sepals, glabrous style, densely haired fruit apex and 6–8 pits on dorsal side of elliptic seeds distinguishes it from all previously known species. A detailed description, photographs, distribution, illustrations and an identification key to all known species of Cyanotis in India are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kachchh Rift Basin of western India that hosted the devastating 2001  M W 7.7 Bhuj earthquake has been witnessing minor to moderate seismicity since then. The genesis of these intraplate earthquakes and geometry of the causative faults is still elusive. In this study, we relocated all the earthquakes recorded between 2006 and 2018 and utilized a set of 4285 best located earthquakes to provide rare insights into the orientation and depth distribution of the currently active faults. We also analysed previously computed source mechanisms, in perspective of our location results. It is revealed that the present seismic activity is primarily aligned along two planes—one steeply dipping (∼60°) to the northeast with a NW–SE strike and the other gently (∼34°) dipping to the SSW, striking WNW–ESE. The traces of these fault surfaces coincide with the Kachchh Mainland fault (KMF) and the North Wagad Fault (NWF) when extrapolated to the surface, respectively. Activity along the NWF has been shown in earlier studies, however, clear evidence of activity along the steep north-dipping KMF is presented for the very first time. Thrust earthquakes dominate the NWF while strike-slip earthquakes are seen across the KMF. Our results show that the two fault surfaces converge between 70.30°E and 70.43°E longitudes in the depth range 22–32 km, however, there is large E–W offset between the northern and southern extremities of the fault-system. This convergence zone hosted the largest earthquakes (M L 4.7–5.1) between 2006 and 2018 and the hypocentre of 2001 main shock also coincide with it. The earthquakes occurring in the interfault region show major strike-slip motion and are probably influenced by the relative motion between the NWF and KMF. Consistent seismicity, assisted probably by high conducting material, is seen across the NWF while intermittent seismicity is revealed along the KMF. Scrutiny of earlier studies revealed that the 2001 main shock and first few weeks of aftershocks were hosted on another south-dipping fault, the South Wagad Fault (SWF), however, activity along the SWF is found to be meagre during 2006–2018. Instead, seismicity has currently migrated to faults north and south of the SWF. These currently active faults most likely were reactivated during/after the 2001 main shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological problems are increasing globally, studies are being done seriously for environmental protection; Efforts are being made to improve the deteriorating relationship between development and the environment. Since the publication of the issue,=Development and the Environment' by the World Bank in 1992, several articles on the relationship between development and the environment have been published in the economic literature, most of which suggestthe government policies to improve this deteriorating relationship. In the direction of environmental protection, there have been many policy changes in various developed and developing countries, which have yielded promising results. Some countries have adopted the policy of financial incentives; some countries have given colour codes based on the pollution of factories. Some countries have adopted a policy of campaigning against pollutants and some have started following a policy of punitive recovery based on polluted emissions. Many countries have begun making industrial workers and the public aware of pollution because they are the worst affected by pollution. These efforts have yielded good results. In Asian countries, many positive trends can be found in environmental protection through governance. On the other hand, environmental policies & laws were strengthened, particularly in the 1970s and again in the 1990s. India follows the basic principle of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). According to which, countries responsible for climate change have to contribute more to emission reductionsthan other less accountable countries. Thus, India is not bound by these responsibilities but can make voluntary contributions. At the world level, ever since the environment has become an important issue in international politics, India has been working on it responsibly. India is trying to fulfil the commitments made at the world level. India signed the Paris Agreement on April 22, 2016 with the objective of reducing greenhouse gases under UNFCCC. India is actively working with China and G-77 for joint programme development on the agreement. UNFCCC has given a number of presentations on finance, technology, forestry and other sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anesthesia leads to impairments in central and peripheral thermoregulatory responses. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is hence a common perioperative complication, and is associated with coagulopathy, increased surgical site infection, delayed drug metabolism, prolonged recovery, and shivering. However, surveys across the world have shown poor compliance to perioperative temperature management guidelines. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalent practices and attitudes to perioperative temperature management in the Asia–Pacific region, and determined the individual and institutional factors that lead to noncompliance. Methods: A 40-question anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to anesthesiologists and anesthesia trainees in six countries in the Asia–Pacific (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India and South Korea). Participants were polled about their current practices in patient warming and temperature measurement across the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. Questions were also asked regarding various individual and environmental barriers to compliance. Results: In total, 1154 valid survey responses were obtained and analyzed. 279 (24.2%) of respondents prewarm, 508 (44.0%) perform intraoperative active warming, and 486 (42.1%) perform postoperative active warming in the majority of patients. Additionally, 531 (46.0%) measure temperature preoperatively, 767 (67.5%) measure temperature intraoperatively during general anesthesia, and 953 (82.6%) measure temperature postoperatively in the majority of patients. The availability of active warming devices in the operating room (p < 0.001, OR 10.040), absence of financial restriction (p < 0.001, OR 2.817), presence of hospital training courses (p = 0.011, OR 1.428), and presence of a hospital SOP (p < 0.001, OR 1.926) were significantly associated with compliance to intraoperative active warming. Conclusions: Compliance to international perioperative temperature management guidelines in Asia–Pacific remains poor, especially in small hospitals. Barriers to compliance were limited temperature management equipment, lack of locally-relevant standard operating procedures and training. This may inform international guideline committees on the needs of developing countries, or spur local anesthesiology societies to publish their own national guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]