Constraints Faced by Stakeholders under Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is a registered society in India with key stakeholders enmeshed with various agricultural activities for sustainable agricultural development in the state, with focus at district level. It is a hotbed for integrating research, extension and marketing activities and decentralizing day-to-day management of the public Agricultural Technology Development and Dissemination System. The present study was carried out in Andhra Pradesh state to explore the constraints faced by the extension functionaries at each level of decentralized management. Moreover, constraints perceived by the farmers with the support of ATMA in realizing their needs were also studied

Like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry in Randall-Sundurm model

We confirm that in order to account for the recent D\O\ result of large like-sign dimuon charge asymmetry, a considerable large new physics effect in $\Gamma_{12}^s$ is required in addition to a large CP violating phase in $B_s -\bar{B}_s$ mixing. In the Randall-Sundrum model of warped geometry, where the fermion fields reside in the bulk, new sources of flavor and CP violation are obtained. We analyze the like-sign dimuon asymmetry in this class of model, as an example of the desired new physics. We show that the wrong charge asymmetry, $a_{sl}^s$, which is related to the dimuon asymmetry, is significantly altered compared to the Standard Model value. However, experimental limits from $\Delta M_s$, $\Delta\Gamma_s$ as well as $K$ mixing and electroweak corrections constrain it to be greater than a $\sigma$ away from its experimental average value. This model cannot fully account for the D\O\ anomaly due to its inability to generate sufficient new contribution to the width difference $\Gamma^s_{12}$, even though the model can generate large contribution to the mass difference $M^s_{12}$.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, discussions and references added, accepted for publication in Physical Review

Trend analysis and variability of satellite-based soil moisture data for the Lower Bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu using Google Earth Engine

Soil moisture is a significant hydrological component that is dynamic in nature. The variation in soil moisture in the basin scale would affect the vegetation, ecology and environment. Soil moisture trend analysis aids in providing the variation of soil moisture over the basin. The present study aimed to analyse the soil moisture trend in Lower Bhavani basin, Tamil Nadu from 2003-2022. Satellite-based soil moisture Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data was extracted from the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to analyse the variation and trend over the period of time. The highest and lowest soil moisture was observed during monsoon and summer months and its percentage variation was studied. Using Man-Kendall test and Sen’s slope, trend analysis was calculated for two decades (2003-2012 and 2013-2022). In 2003-2012, an increasing trend of soil moisture was observed during winter (October to February); from 2013-2022, an increasing trend was observed during both winter (October to February) and monsoon seasons (June to September). The remaining season did not follow any trend, and there was no decreasing trend in soil moisture. The trend analysis of the study will help to monitor and manage the environmental system across the Lower Bhavani basin

Development of a computer aided decision support system for the design of drip irrigation laterals

Drip Design Check (DDC) is a powerful software solution designed to assist irrigation system designers in evaluating the effectiveness of their drip irrigation designs for non-uniform slope conditions. The software makes use of recent developments in drip design methods as well as the advancements in software development methodologies for simulating and optimizing the design of laterals. The software features an easy-to-use interface that allows users to input key design parameters, including slope details, discharge rate of drippers, length of lateral, spacing between drippers and pressure head at the inlet of lateral. The software calculates relative pressure head variation (vh) and pressure head values at each outlet. The software evaluates the goodness of the design based on the allowable relative pressure head variation. Simulation of lateral also considers dripper connection losses. Variations in lateral and dripper configurations are handled by the software in line with the intuition of the user’s perceptions. Hence, data input is simple and easy. The software can be used to analyse numerous design alternatives and to identify the most appropriate design. DDC has undergone several tests using different typical sample data and hence its accuracy and reliability are more. Demonstrations were conducted for designers to assess the user friendliness of the drip simulation software, and we received favourable feedback from them. In summary, Drip Design Check is a useful and reliable tool for the irrigation industry to check the goodness of lateral design

Development of a web-based simulation application for efficient drip irrigation submain design

Drip simulation software is essential for accurately optimizing and maximizing the efficiency of drip irrigation systems, enabling precise water management and resource conservation. The present study developed a powerful web-based application to assist irrigation system designers in evaluating the effectiveness of the submain design on uniform or non-uniform slope conditions. The software facilitates the simulation and optimisation of submain design by incorporating modern drip design approaches and state-of-the-art software development methodologies. With its intuitive user interface, the software allows users to effortlessly enter important design parameters, including slope specifications, lateral discharge rates, submain length, lateral spacing and submain inlet pressure head. The software calculates to determine the pressure head values at each outlet and the relative variation in pressure head (vh), allowing for comprehensive design evaluation. Extensive testing using various typical sample data ensured the high accuracy and reliability of the developed web application. It empowers users to explore multiple design alternatives and determine the most suitable option. Rigorous testing, employing various typical sample data, has further enhanced the accuracy and reliability of the developed application. Live demonstrations were conducted to evaluate its user-friendliness, yielding overwhelmingly positive feedback from designers. The software can be accessed conveniently via the website https://www.dripdesigncheck.in/telescopic/submain, ensuring easy availability to users

Determinants of Income Diversification among Dairy Farm Households in Tamil Nadu

Dairy farming is the subsidiary occupation for millions of farmers in India. Due to risks and uncertainties in rainfed areas, crop production alone was not much remunerative. Diversifying dairy with the crop and allied activities would generate better income, nutritional security, and regular employment to the farming community and ensure risk reduction. This study investigates the extent and determinants of income diversification among dairy farm households in Tamil Nadu using the Simpson Index of Diversity (SID) and the Tobit regression model. Primary data were collected from dairy farm households during the year 2021-22. The results show that two-thirds of the total household income was shared by on-farm income and the remaining one-third by off-farm and non-farm activities to the total household income. Simpson Index of Diversity (0.38) indicated that the households were diversified with milch animals, but the degree of the diversification was low since high degree of diversification requires more labour and high cost. Further, education, family size, landholding size, herd size, proximity to agricultural or allied industry, access to credit, and membership in farmer producer organizations were the important determinants of income diversification. This study indicates that farm households should adopt a concentric approach that requires targeted research, information dissemination, infrastructure development, and agricultural technical institution establishments to boost income diversification and livelihood

Determinants of Consumer’s Willingness to Pay towards Organic Products: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Background: India’s food industries are hotly debated as there are numerous scandals involved in tainted food products, which deliberately lowers the public’s confidence. These incidents made the organic food market growth in developing countries, especially in India. Objective: This study examines the underlying factors that influence consumer’s willingness to pay for organic products. Methods: Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu in India was purposively selected for the study using a structural equation model (SEM) with 250 respondents. The study was conducted in twelve organic shops distributed across the district. The model is bifurcated into the willingness to pay construct and attitude construct, which helps understand the factors influencing the consumer’s willingness to pay towards organic products. Findings: The results from the attribute construct showed that health concerns, environmental concerns and subjective norms were found to positively affect the consumer’s attitude towards purchasing the organic product. In the case of willingness to pay construct, the factors like attitude, knowledge, awareness and income of the consumers positively influence willingness to pay towards the organic product. In contrast, the factor perceived expensiveness was contrary in nature. Novelty: This empirical study provides a good understanding of purchase intention towards organic products, which will aid the producers, middlemen, and stakeholders develop the product and expand the market

Unparticles-Higgs Interplay

We show that scalar unparticles coupled to the Standard Model Higgs at the renormalizable level can have a dramatic impact in the breaking of the electroweak symmetry already at tree level. In particular one can get the proper electroweak scale without the need of a Higgs mass term in the Lagrangian. By studying the mixed unparticle-Higgs propagator and spectral function we also show how unparticles can shift the Higgs mass away from its Standard Model value, \lambda v^2, and influence other Higgs boson properties. Conversely, we study in some detail how electroweak symmetry breaking affects the unparticle sector by breaking its conformal symmetry and generating a mass gap. We also show that, for Higgs masses above that gap, unparticles can increase quite significantly the Higgs width.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, typos correcte

Does COVID-19 contribute to development of neurological disease?

Background: Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated primarily with pneumonia, recent data show that the causative agent of COVID-19, the coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can infect a large number of vital organs beyond the lungs, such as the heart, kidneys, and the brain. Thus, there is evidence showing possible retrograde transmission of the virus from the olfactory epithelium to regions of the brain stem. Methods: This is a literature review article. The research design method is an evidence-based rapid review. The present discourse aim is first to scrutinize and assess the available literature on COVID-19 repercussion on the central nervous system (CNS). Standard literature and database searches were implemented, gathered relevant material, and extracted information was then assessed. Results: The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors being the receptor for the virus, the threat to the central nervous system is expected. Neurons and glial cells express ACE2 receptors in the CNS, and recent studies suggest that activated glial cells contribute to neuroinflammation and the devastating effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the CNS. The SARS-CoV-2-induced immune-mediated demyelinating disease, cerebrovascular damage, neurodegeneration, and depression are some of the neurological complications discussed here. Conclusion: This review correlates present clinical manifestations of COVID-19 patients with possible neurological consequences in the future, thus preparing healthcare providers for possible future consequences of COVID-19