Performance analysis of cooperative sugar factories in north-eastern Karnataka

The study was attempted to measure the economic performance of cooperative sugar factories in terms of total costs and returns, capacity utilization, physical and financial indicators and ratio analysis of the factories. In this study the three cooperative sugar factories are taken into consideration and the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for all the physical and financial indicators are worked out wherein the results suggested that a significant variation in the total cost and returns, capacity utilization and both physical and financial indicators over years within the three sugar factories was found. Further, the study revealed enough evidence about the financial ratios, which in turn showed the economic potentiality of the respective sugar factories. For the better performance of the factories an efficient planning and automation well before the start of the season is necessary and the government should come forward to help the farmers in making the cane bill payment at an early stage by the factories, by extending the financial assistance

COMPARATIVE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND EGG CHARACTERISTICS OF PULLETS AND SPENT LAYERS

Production performance and egg quality characteristics of pullets and spent layers were compared in this study. Forty birds, each from the flocks of pullets (24 weeks old) and spent layers (76 weeks old) were selected as experimental birds. The birds from each age group were divided into five replicates, each comprising of eight birds. All the experimental birds were fed a commercial layer ration @ 110g/bird/day for 12 weeks. The data on egg production, feed consumption, egg weight and egg quality characteristics viz. shell thickness, shell weight, breaking strength, albumen diameter, albumen weight and yolk weight were recorded. The data thus collected were utilized for calculation of FCR, Haugh unit and yolk index values. The results revealed that pullets produced more eggs and utilized their feed more efficiently than spent layers. However, egg weight in spent layers was higher than in their counterparts. Pullets also produced eggs with thicker shell and higher Haugh unit values when compared to the spent layers. Feed consumption and yolk index values remained unaffected due to the age. Pullets also had better egg quality characteristics than those of spent layers

IMPACT OF MICROFINANCE ON WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH POVERTY ALLEVIATION: AN ASSESSMENT OF SOCIO- ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN CHENNAI CITY OF TAMIL NADU

The empowerment of women is one of the central issues in the process of development of countries all over the world. Poverty is one of the major reasons of women’s disempowerment. Different micro and macro level strategies are being used by government agencies and NGOs for poverty alleviation of women as a way to empower them. Microfinance has become an important component of development, poverty reduction and economic regeneration strategy around the world. In India, Microfinance programme are implemented through Self Help Groups (SHGs). The SHG is an association of people belonging to similar socio-economic characteristic, residing in same locality. The SHGs are voluntary associations of people formed to attain some common goals. These are groups have similar social identity, heritage, caste or traditional occupations. The present study is analyses the role of microfinance in empowering Muslim women as well as non-Muslim women in a comparative perspective and a comparison between members of SHGs and non-members to gain better insights into the working of SHGs. The concept of microfinance is analysed by using the size of loan received, recovery of loan, and period of loan and the economic, social and knowledge empowerment is used to analyse the empowerment. The results were tabulated by using of logistic regression model. Finally, it is concluded that that microfinance brought knowledge and social empowerment than economic empowerment. Impact of micro finance is appreciable in bringing confidence, courage, skill development and empowerment

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) alters the phytochemical constituents in tomato fruits.

An investigation was conducted in order to evaluate the responses of field grown tomato varieties (Marglove and Roma VF) to tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Fruit samples from the virus-infected and uninfected plants were collected at 20 (early stage), 40 (intermediate stage) and 60 days (ripening stage) after anthesis. Results showed higher virus RNA content in fruits of infected plants at early (42.48 to 38.24%) and intermediate stages (34.35 to 19.57%). There was a substantial decrease in DNA content (27.27 and 21.05%) at early and (23.08 and 43.75%) at intermediate stages of both Marglove and Roma VF, compared to the control, respectively. Similarly, indole acetic acid content was also decreased (27.08 and 24.29%) in fruits of virus-infected Marglove and Roma VF, respectively. The free ascorbic acid content was found lower (35.29 to 51.52%), while combined ascorbic acid was higher (13.91 to 33.33%) in both varieties. Neither the responses of individual organic acids nor their concentrations in fruits of infected and control plants were identical. Fumaric acid was not detected either in fruits of infected plants of Marglove or in healthy and infected Roma VF. Individual fruit weight and fruit numbers per plant were lower in the virus-infected plants. This study indicates that the yield of infected tomato plants could be reduced by the infection of TYLCV due to the changes in the concentrations of phytochemical constituents. This suggests that monitoring and management of TYLCV incidence is crucial for yield and quality optimization of field grown tomato

The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on classical cardiovascular disease risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Advanced measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with CVD risk factors. The present study aimed to examine whether CVD risk factors can predict clinic-based measures of CRF, using the Siconolfi step test and to determine if exercise can improve RA patients’ cardiovascular health. Sixty-five RA patients (46 females, age 58 ± 11 years) completed assessments of CRF, CVD risk factors, body composition and RA characteristics. Ten patients participated in a follow-up 8-week exercise intervention. CRF was low (22 ml kg−1 min−1) and associated with higher diastolic blood pressure (r = − 0.37, p = 0.002), higher global CVD risk (r = − 0.267, p = 0.031) and worse body composition profile (body fat, r = − 0.48, p < 0.001; waist, r = − 0.65, p < 0.001; hip, r = − 0.58, p < 0.001). Regular exercise significantly improved CRF (p = 0.021), lower body strength (p < 0.001), agility (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.021), body fat (p = 0.018), waist circumference (p = 0.035), hip circumference (p = 0.016), disease activity (p = 0.002), disability (p = 0.007) and QoL (p = 0.004). Elevated diastolic blood pressure and worse body composition profile are strong predictors of clinic-based measures of CRF. CRF is an important determinant of CVD risk and warrants inclusion in the routine assessment of RA patients. Regular exercise can improve CRF and CVD risk factors without any exacerbation of disease activity and should be offered as part of routine care

3-(3-Methyl­phen­yl)-2-thioxo-1,3-thia­zolidin-4-one

In the title compound, C10H9NOS2, the dihedral angle between the rhodanine (2-thioxo-1,3-thia­zolidin-4-one) and 3-methyl­phenyl rings is 83.30 (3)°. The H atoms of the methyl group are disordered over two set of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.58 (3):0.42 (3). In the crystal, the mol­ecules inter­act by way of C—H⋯π and C=O⋯π inter­actions

DataQ: A Collaborative Platform for Answering Research Data Questions in Libraries

DataQ is an IMLS­-funded project led by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries, GWLA, and GPN to develop an online knowledge-­base of research data questions and answers curated for and by the library community. Publicly submitted questions to DataQ are reviewed by an Editorial Team of experts from 15 institutions across the United States. The site also includes links to resources, best practices, and practical approaches to working with researchers to address specific research data issues. This update from members of the Editorial Team will discuss outcomes and future directions following the first year of the DataQ project

RESPONSE OF CORN (ZEA MAYS), BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM) AND EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA) SEEDLINGS TO WI-FI RADIATION.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the changes of growth related aspects of seedlings after being exposed to Wi-Fi radiation. Experiment was carried out by exposing seedlings to radiation from a Wi-Fi router. The test seedlings and the control were subjected to the same environment during four weeks. The results showed that corn seedlings when exposed to Wi-Fi radiation grew faster and have shoot length and stem thickness significantly larger than the other control. On the other hand basils and eggplants, both exposed and not exposed to Wi-Fi radiation, were found with no significant effects on the shoot length and stem thickness. Moreover Wi-Fi radiation significantly reduced the fresh weight of corns and basils, whereas eggplants were not affected. Furthermore Wi-Fi radiation significantly increased the dry weight of eggplants, whereas corns and basils were not affected. Finally, the results showed that Wi-Fi radiation significantly decreased the water content of three tested seedlings. The study concluded that the Wi-Fi radiation may alter growth related characters of seedlings

Comparative Analysis of Trace Elements Found in Commonly Used Vegetables Irrigated By Fresh And Waste Water in Karachi, Pakistan

Use of municipal waste water (both treated and untreated) has now become a common practice in urban and peri-urban areas. Mostly vegetables in urban cities like Karachi are being irrigated by sewerage water. In this study a comparison of sewage and fresh water-irrigated vegetables has been made with respect to trace metals. Among commonly used vegetables, green onion, cabbage, pumpkin, eggplant, bird’s eye chili and okra were selected. Two sets of these vegetables were collected, one from local farm where irrigation was done with well water and other set of samples was collected from Malir, Karachi where irrigation was done with waste water. Samples were analyzed for heavy metals i.e. K, Na, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Fe, and As by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. It showed that both sets of samples were found to contain metal concentrations beyond the limits set by WHO/EU. Apart from tomato, the concentration of only Cd was near the standard value for both sets. Similar results were obtained for K except for pumpkin in which the concentration for waste water irrigated samples was fairly high. Amount of Cu and Fe were moderately higher than the standard in both samples. Arsenic in all the samples was considerably high while maximum concentration was obtained for Pd against the limits. These findings suggest waste water irrigated vegetables pose high risk to human health. The concentrations of As and Pb were high in fresh water samples possibly, the well water may contain metals, therefore it is important to know the source