Vertical coordination in high-value commodities

"Rising per capita income, urbanization and globalization are changing the consumption basket in the developing countries towards high-value commodities (like fruits & vegetables, milk, meat, poultry, fish, etc.). This paper explores how smallholders can benefit from the emerging opportunities from a silent demand-driven changes in high-value agriculture in India. The study examines the institutional mechanisms adopted by different firms to integrate small producers of milk, broilers and vegetables in supply chain and their effects on producers' transaction costs and farm profitability. The study finds that the innovative institutional arrangements in the form of contract farming have considerably reduced transaction costs and improved market efficiency to benefit the smallholders. The study does not find any bias against smallholders in contract farming. Also, the study does not find that the relevant firms have exploited their monopsonistic position by paying lower prices to farmers. On the contrary, contract producers were found enjoying benefits of assured procurement of their produce and higher prices. The study lists policy hurdles in scaling up the innovative models of vertical coordination in high-value food commodities" Authors' AbstractHigh value commodities ,Urbanization ,High value agriculture ,Scaling up ,

Proximity Word Set Exploration In Several Dimensional Data

Unlike the tree-index used in existing applications, our directory information provides minimal responsiveness to adding dimensions and scales across multiple dimensions. Unwanted candidates are cut based on the distance between the MBR points or the keywords and their specified diameter. NKS queries are useful for many applications, for example, photo-conversations in social systems, graphic design recognition, geographic search in GIS systems, and more. We prepare the most accurate and approximate variants of the formula. In this paper we consider the items labeled with keywords and therefore are included in the vector space. Keyword-based search with a text-rich multi-dimensional database optimizes many fictional apps and devices. From these databases, we study questions that require dot categories that meet the requirements of the keywords. Our experimental results for real and immediate datasets show that PROMISCH has more than 60 variables based on related tree-based techniques. We recommend the only method called PROMISSH, which uses arbitrary prediction and hash-based indexes that provide high balance and portability. We conduct extensive experimental studies to demonstrate the implementation of suggested techniques

Spectral properties of doped bilayer cuprates at finite temperatures

Recently, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ, which possesses two CuO2 layers in the same unit cell, have yielded very interesting results. For the overdoped samples, these results show a splitting of electronic states near k=(π, 0) point of Brillioun zone. On the other hand, no splitting is observed in the underdoped samples. In view of this, the detailed studies including the doping and temperature dependence of the spectral properties become desirable. In this paper, we consider cuprates possessing two CuO2 layers per unit cell. Each layer in the system is described by the t-t'-J model and the two layers are coupled via an intrabilayer hopping term (t ⊥) and an intrabilayer exchange coupling (J ⊥). A self-consistent perturbation approach is used to calculate the electronic spectral function for different values of hole density, hole momentum and temperature. We find that the imaginary part of the self energy is strongly momentum dependent which contradicts the suggestion that the Fermi surface of cuprates may be described by marginal Fermi liquid theory. We have calculated the spectral function for various values of intrabilayer parameters t ⊥ and J ⊥. For larger values of intrabilayer interactions we observe the splitting in the quasi-particle peak at k=(π, 0) which is in agreement with the recent observations. The splitting is also found to be sensitive to the hole concentration as well as the temperature of the system. We have also discussed the reasons why the splitting is absent in underdoped bilayer cuprates at low temperature

Comparative Studies of Photochemical and Electrochemical Methods on Mineralization of Picric Acid

The effluents generated from synthesis and processing plant of Picric acid is reported to be carcinogenic and hence needs to be treated to reduce its concentration below safe discharge limit. Present paper deals with studies on mineralization of Picric acid by adopting photochemical and electrochemical processes and the efficacy of the both processes have been explored in details. Crucial process parameters viz. pH, concentration of oxidizer and catalyst for mineralization of Picric acid are optimized. In photochemical method, It is observed that Picric acid is treated to bring down its concentration from 100 ppm to ≤ 1 ppm under Photo-Fenton process  in 2 hrs whereas same treatment carried out under Photo- catalytic process takes only 1 hr. It is also observed that TiO2 xerogel and beads of nano-TiO2 are more efficient compared to that of commercially available TiO2. The TiO2–Polysulfone (PS) beads show less efficiency than TiO2 xerogel. However, the Picric acid oxidation efficiency for TiO2–PS beads is comparable and advantage of TiO2–PS beads is that it can easily be recovered from the treated solution and can be reused in the next experiments.  Electrochemical process is user’s friendly and economical. In case of electrochemical treatments at optimized process parameters under Electro-Fenton reaction picric acid is completely mineralized below its drain discharge limit where as under Electro-peroxide reaction picric acid is mineralized upto 3 ppm within 3 hrs. The treated solution has been characterized by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, High performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Analyzer. The observed results have been interpreted and reported in the present paper

Degradation of Mononitrotoluene by Electrochemical Method

Present paper deals with studies on the degradation of Mononitrotoluene (MNT) by electrochemical method. The Electro-Fenton and Electro-Peroxide methods are explored to degrade MNT upto its drain discharge limit of 1 ppm. Effects of some important parameters which ultimately decide the rate of degradation of MNT viz. oxidizer, pH, catalyst and voltage etc. have been critically studied. The detailed studies have been carried out which includes variation in different parameters viz. pH from acidic range to basic range, catalyst concentration from 10 ppm to 50 ppm, Oxidizer concentration from 5 mM to 40 mM and potential across electrodes from 4 V to 24 V for efficient degradation of MNT. It is observed that optimised values of precursors viz. catalyst (FeSO4 ) concentration of 40 ppm, pH of 3, potential across electrodes of 12V and oxidizer (H2 O2 ) concentration of 25 mM; Electro-Fenton reaction has been carried out to degrade 50 ppm MNT solution up to its drain discharge limit of 1 ppm and on other hand under Electro-Peroxide reaction results in degradation of MNT from 50 ppm to 12 ppm. The comparative studies of Electro-Fenton and Electro-Peroxide reactions have been carried out for MNT solution and the treated solution has been characterised by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer and the obtained data on MNT effluent studies may be applicable to explore the efficient mineralisation of 2-Methyl-1, 3, 5-trinitrobenzene effluent. The observed results have been interpreted and reported in the present study

Understanding the Fodder Markets for Sustainable Development of Livestock Sector in Bihar-A Rapid Appraisal Approach

Livestock is an integral part of rural economy in Bihar and fodder is a critical input for livestock development. Data shows that there exist a huge gap between demand and supply of fodder (both dry as well as green). Most part of the south Bihar comprising of agro climatic zones, IIIA and IIIB are fodder surplus because of cultivation of paddy and wheat under assured irrigation facilities. Agro climatic Zone I and Zone II are fodder deficit and mostly depend on fodder surplus regions for their fodder requirement. In order to promote fodder production and requirement it is imperative for the Government to come forward and develop fodder storage facilities at different locations in different regions, so that farmers could store fodder to ensure its availability throughout the year. Due to lack of adequate storage facilities and space producers are forced to dispose the fodder in excess of their marketable surplus and therefore many times marketed surplus exceeds the actual marketable surplus in this way. Institutional support in the form of credit and creation of fodder banks in different fodder producing as well as deficit areas for maintaining buffer stock is essential. Fodder markets are highly unorganized and informal and the role of public sector/govt. in its marketing is virtually negligible. Most of the fodder markets are running on different places do not have any dedicated market place.. Most of the fodder markets are operating along the roadsides and have no legal credentials. This becomes one of the reasons of exploitation of people who are involved in this business. It is envisaged that establishment of dedicated and legal market places would help fodder trade a great deal and also check corrupt practices and exploitations of poor producers and traders. Fodder is a bulky item, which makes its trading cumbersome and handling difficult. Some traders use compressing machines to make fodder blocks. It is important to develop some cost effective and efficient fodder compressing machine for ease of handling and transportation as well as cost saving. Quality control of manufactured compound feed and concentrates is also essential. Most of the traders and consumers feel that there should be a mechanism to ensure quality of manufactured feed and nutritional supplements. Development of technology for cost effective and nutritive feed is requires urgent attention and here Public sector R&D can play an effective role. This can also be done in public-private partnership mode

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Muzaffarpur District, Bihar, India from 1990 to 2008

BACKGROUND: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease transmitted by Phlebotomus argentipes. To understand the VL seasonality, annual and monthly variations of VL incidence and its relationship to meteorological variables, the numbers of VL cases reported in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, India from 1990 to 2008 were studied. METHODS: Annual VL incidence per 10,000 and the total number of annual VL cases reported at block Community Health Centres (CHC), Public Hospitals or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and the number of VL cases per month from 2000 to 2008 as well as the monthly average of cases for 2000-08, 2000-04 and 2005-08 periods along with the monthly averages of temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were plotted. VL Standardised Incidence Ratios per block were computed for the periods of 1990-1993, 1994-1998, 1999-2004 and 2005-2008 and month wise from 2002 to 2008. A negative binomial regression model was used to evaluate the association between meteorological variables and the number of VL cases per month from 2000 to 2008. RESULTS: A total of 68,358 VL cases were reported in Muzaffarpur district from 1990 to 2008, ranging from 1,2481 in 1992 to 1,161 in 2001. The blocks with the highest number of cases shifted from East (1990-98) to West (1999-2008). Monthly averages of cases ranged from 149 to 309, highest peak in March-April and another one in July. Monthly VL incidence was associated positively to rainfall and negatively to relative humidity and the numbers of VL cases in the previous month. INTERPRETATION: The number of cases reported to the public health sector allowed the describing of the spatial distribution and temporal variations in the Muzaffarpur from 1990 to 2008. However, to assess the actual VL burden, as well as the efficacy of the control measures applied in the district, reporting from private practices and NGOs should be encouraged

Analysis of the unexplored features of rrs (16S rDNA) of the Genus Clostridium

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bacterial taxonomy and phylogeny based on <it>rrs </it>(16S rDNA) sequencing is being vigorously pursued. In fact, it has been stated that novel biological findings are driven by comparison and integration of massive data sets. In spite of a large reservoir of <it>rrs </it>sequencing data of 1,237,963 entries, this analysis invariably needs supplementation with other genes. The need is to divide the genetic variability within a taxa or genus at their <it>rrs </it>phylogenetic boundaries and to discover those fundamental features, which will enable the bacteria to naturally fall within them. Within the large bacterial community, <it>Clostridium </it>represents a large genus of around 110 species of significant biotechnological and medical importance. Certain <it>Clostridium </it>strains produce some of the deadliest toxins, which cause heavy economic losses. We have targeted this genus because of its high genetic diversity, which does not allow accurate typing with the available molecular methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seven hundred sixty five <it>rrs </it>sequences (> 1200 nucleotides, nts) belonging to 110 <it>Clostridium </it>species were analyzed. On the basis of 404 <it>rrs </it>sequences belonging to 15 <it>Clostridium </it>species, we have developed species specific: (i) phylogenetic framework, (ii) signatures (30 nts) and (iii) <it>in silico </it>restriction enzyme (14 Type II REs) digestion patterns. These tools allowed: (i) species level identification of 95 <it>Clostridium </it>sp. which are presently classified up to genus level, (ii) identification of 84 novel <it>Clostridium </it>spp. and (iii) potential reduction in the number of <it>Clostridium </it>species represented by small populations.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This integrated approach is quite sensitive and can be easily extended as a molecular tool for diagnostic and taxonomic identification of any microbe of importance to food industries and health services. Since rapid and correct identification allows quicker diagnosis and consequently treatment as well, it is likely to lead to reduction in economic losses and mortality rates.</p

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Combined searches for the production of supersymmetric top quark partners in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A combination of searches for top squark pair production using proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment, is presented. Signatures with at least 2 jets and large missing transverse momentum are categorized into events with 0, 1, or 2 leptons. New results for regions of parameter space where the kinematical properties of top squark pair production and top quark pair production are very similar are presented. Depending on themodel, the combined result excludes a top squarkmass up to 1325 GeV for amassless neutralino, and a neutralinomass up to 700 GeV for a top squarkmass of 1150 GeV. Top squarks with masses from 145 to 295 GeV, for neutralino masses from 0 to 100 GeV, with a mass difference between the top squark and the neutralino in a window of 30 GeV around the mass of the top quark, are excluded for the first time with CMS data. The results of theses searches are also interpreted in an alternative signal model of dark matter production via a spin-0 mediator in association with a top quark pair. Upper limits are set on the cross section for mediator particle masses of up to 420 GeV