Back on the Rails -- Competition and Productivity in State-owned Industry

The importance of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in explaining output changes is widely accepted, yet its sources are not well understood. We use a proprietary data set on the oor-level operations at the Bhilai Rail and Structural Mill (RSM) in India to understand the determinants of changes in plant productivity between January 2000 and March 2003. During this period there was a 35% increase in output with minimal changes in the stock of physical capital or the number of employees, but sizable reductions in the number and duration of various types of production delays. We model interruptions to the production process as a function of worker characteristics and find that a large part of the avoidable delay reductions are attributable to training. Overall, changes in all delays account for over half the changes in productivity. Our results provide some explanation for the large within-industry di erences in productivity observed in developing countries and also suggest that specic knowledge-enhancing investments can have very high returns. Our approach also provides an example of how detailed data on production processes can be fruitfully used to better understand TFP changes, which have typically been treated as residuals in growth-accounting exercises.Total Factor Productivity (TFP), Plant level data, Competitiveness and trade.

Lifting the Veil: The Face of TFP in an Indian Rail Mill

We use a proprietary data set on the floor-level operations at the Bhilai Rail and Structural Mill (RSM) in India to understand how output rose sharply in response to competitive pressures. Output increases came predominantly from reductions in production delays of various kinds. We model interruptions to the production process as a function of worker characteristics and training and find that a large part of the avoidable delay reductions are attributable to a particular form of training, suggesting that such investments can have very high returns. Our work suggests very high returns to knowledge-enhancing investments in emerging economies.Total Factor Productivity (TFP), plant level data, competitiveness and trade

Lifting the veil: The face of TFP in an Indian rail mill

We use a proprietary data set on the floor-level operations at the Bhilai Rail and Structural Mill (RSM) in India to understand how output rose sharply in response to competitive pressures. Output increases came predominantly from reductions in production delays of various kinds. We model interruptions to the production process as a function of worker characteristics and training and find that a large part of the avoidable delay reductions are attributable to a particular form of training, suggesting that such investments can have very high returns. Our work suggests very high returns to knowledge-enhancing investments in emerging economies

Back on the Rails: Competition and Productivity in State-owned Industry

We use a proprietary data set on the floor-level operations at the Bhilai Rail and Structural Mill in India to understand the determinants of changes in plant productivity in 2000-2003. During this period there was a 35 percent increase in output with minimal changes in factors of production, but sizable reductions in production delays. We model interruptions to the production process and find that a large part of these reductions are attributable to training. Our results suggest that specific knowledge-enhancing investments can have very high returns, and that the threat of competition provides powerful incentives to undertake such investments.

Seasonal availability and population structure of Eurobowmaniella simulans W. Tattersall, 1915 (Crustacea: Mysida) along Vizhinjam coast, Kerala, India

Eurobowmaniella simulans is the commonly available species of mysid along the Vizhinjam coast of Kerala. Sampling of mysids has been carried out over a period of one year from March 2014 to February 2015 to study the seasonal availability and population structure. Monthly samples of mysids consisted of individuals in various developmental stages, from juveniles to mature mysids around the year, but their percentage availability varied. The peak availability of mysids was recorded during September (2014) (avg. 48,731 numbers per haul) and their availability was lowest in July (2014) with an average of 2 individuals per haul. The availability of brooding or ovigerous females were observed throughout the year and highest and lowest percentage availability was during November (2014) and April (2014) respectively. Morphometric measurements of E. simulans revealed that their average size (TL) ranged from 2.35±0.52 mm- (juvenile) to 7.47±1.75 mm (adult). Sex could be first distinguished externally when mysid attains the total length between 4.1 mm and 5 mm. Analysis of variance of different water quality parameters and mysid density comparing seasons revealed that there was significant variation of mysid availability between seasons (P < 0.05). Multivariate Pearson’s correlation analysis of water quality parameters and mysid density showed that there was a significant relation with chlorophyll a content (P < 0.001) of seawater. The present study also revealed that mysids are available in harvestable quantities for aquaculture purposes from August to November

Contrasting seed biology of two ornamental palms: Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien) and Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens L.) and implications for their long-term conservation

477-484The Arecaceae family includes palm trees of economic importance both as a source of agricultural produce and as ornamental components in landscaping projects. Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) and solitary fishtail palm (Caryota urens) are well known landscaping plants today. Both species have their origin in Southeast Asia and, especially C. urens is widespread in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. They are multipurpose species with a variety of applications and thus very heavily utilized. Knowledge of palm seed storage biology will improve their conservation prospects. In present studies, fresh seed moisture content in P. roebelenii was recorded to be 30% with germinability of 98%. After desiccation to 8% moisture germinability was reduced to 90% and the seeds survived cryo-exposure. Fresh seeds of C. urens, with initial moisture content of 34% and 95% germinability could be desiccated to lowest level of only 29% moisture content, with complete loss of germinability. Fresh as well as desiccated seeds of this species did not survive cryo-exposure. While the seeds of C. urens stored at room temperature lost their germinability by 110 days, seeds of P. roebelenii could germinate even after 9 months of storage. P. roebelenii is proven to exhibit orthodox seed storage behaviour while C. urens is found to exhibit recalcitrant seed storage behaviour. Long-term ex situ cryo-conservation in the form of seed gene banks would be suitable for seed propagated orthodox palm species and a few germplasm centres may be established for recalcitrant Indian palms in suitable bio-geographic regions as a complimentary ex situ conservation

Contrasting seed biology of two ornamental palms: Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii O’Brien) and Fishtail Palm (Caryota urens L.)

The Arecaceae family includes palm trees of economic importance both as a source of agricultural produce and asornamental components in landscaping projects. Pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) and solitary fishtail palm (Caryotaurens) are well known landscaping plants today. Both species have their origin in Southeast Asia and, especially C. urens iswidespread in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. They are multipurpose species with a variety of applications and thus veryheavily utilized. Knowledge of palm seed storage biology will improve their conservation prospects. In present studies, freshseed moisture content in P. roebelenii was recorded to be 30% with germinability of 98%. After desiccation to 8% moisturegerminability was reduced to 90% and the seeds survived cryo-exposure. Fresh seeds of C. urens, with initial moisturecontent of 34% and 95% germinability could be desiccated to lowest level of only 29% moisture content, with complete lossof germinability. Fresh as well as desiccated seeds of this species did not survive cryo-exposure. While the seeds of C. urensstored at room temperature lost their germinability by 110 days, seeds of P. roebelenii could germinate even after 9 monthsof storage. P. roebelenii is proven to exhibit orthodox seed storage behaviour while C. urens is found to exhibit recalcitrantseed storage behaviour. Long-term ex situ cryo-conservation in the form of seed gene banks would be suitable for seedpropagated orthodox palm species and a few germplasm centres may be established for recalcitrant Indian palms in suitablebio-geographic regions as a complimentary ex situ conservation

Morphological, anatomical and reproductive features of Loliolus (Loliolus) hardwickei (Gray, 1849) caught from the Vizhinjam Coast, Kerala, India

The morphological, anatomical and reproductive features of the little Indian squid, Loliolus (Loliolus) hardwickei (Gray, 1849) were studied based on samples collected from boat seine operated along the Vizhinjam Coast. The species was found to be a new entrant to the fishery along the Vizhinjam Coast. A total of 27 morphometric characters were measured and 13 indices were calculated and reported. Dorsal mantle length (DML) of the specimens ranged from 2.6 to 6.8 cm with a mean DML of 4.5±0.88 cm. The largest specimen observed was a male with DML 6.8 cm. Fully mature (Stage IV) specimens were found to have a higher gonadosomatic index (12.54±2.64 in females and 0.8±0.21 in males). Average length and width of spermatophores were 3.078±0.092 mm and 0.11±0.02 mm respectively. Samples with higher DML were in advanced maturity stages (Stage V). Size composition (DML) of samples revealed that 50% of squids were within the 4-5 cm size range

Histological Authentication of Reproductive Structures of Little Indian Squid Loliolus (Loliolus) hardwickei, Grey, 1849 (Cephalopoda: loliginidae)

The work deals with the oogenesis, spermatogenesis and associated reproductive structures of the little Indian squid Loliolus (Loliolus) hardwickei. Histological descriptions of the ovary, oviduct, testis and needham sac were made, the various changes observed during maturation were described and the functional significance was discussed. The female reproductive system consists of the ovary, glandular oviduct, lace-like oviducal funnel, paired nidamental gland, accessory nidamental glands and a seminal receptacle for sperm storage on the ventral side of the buccal cavity. The average size of the cells of the ovary varied from 7.635±3.466 µm (primary oogonia) to 1191.114±288.188µm (Ripe oocyte). Oocyte resorption or the presence of atretic oocytes was observed in some sections. The male reproductive system consists of the testis, vas deferens, spermatophoric organ, spermduct, the system of spermatophoric glands (SG) and spermatophoric sac (Needham sac) and penis. The spermatogenesis passed through the differentiation of primodial germ cells, primary and secondary spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, rounded spermatids, and elongated spermatids to spermatozoa or sperms. The testis is connected to a thin-walled Needham sac by the spermatophoric duct. The testis is made up of numerous seminiferous tubules and is enveloped by tunica albuginea made up of connective tissue. Histological authentication of reproductive structures in L(L) hardwickei serves the specific purpose of providing a detailed understanding of the species' reproductive biology, which has implications for ecological, environmental, and conservation management efforts

Seed production and growth of Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) in captivity

Development of the regal demoiselle Neopomacentrus cyanomos (Bleeker, 1856) from egg to maturation and spawning stage is described using hatchery reared specimens. Larval rearing of N. cyanomos was carried out using zooplankton as the starting feed up to the 10th day post-hatch (dph). Larval and post-larval growth was studied for a period of 340 dph. Caudal fin rays began to develop from 8th dph and the larval body depth increased considerably from 9th dph onwards. Towards the 10th dph, at about 5.7 mm total length (TL) half of the specimens underwent notochord flexion. Larvae exhibited decreased transparency with increased pigmentation of the pre-anal body, characterised by presence of stellate melanophores. Towards 15th dph, the pectoral, pelvic, dorsal, anal and caudal fins were visible with fin rays. The soft dorsal fin started showing pigmentation from 20th dph onwards and the spinous dorsal from 30th dph onwards. Towards 30th day, black pigments were found distributed all over the body. Pigmentation steadily increased from 30th day onwards and the juveniles fully attained the adult pattern of body colouration by about 90-100 days. First spawning occurred on the 340th dph at a size of 64-73 mm TL