Association and path coefficient analysis among yield attributes and berry yield in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Eighty two germplasm accessions of black pepper aggregated from pepper cultivating tracts of Karnataka, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra were characterized for 17 quantitative traits as per the IPGRI descriptors during 2018-19 at the field gene bank of ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Experimental Farm, Kozhikode. Wide range and high coefficient of variation (CV) were recorded for dry berry weight, fresh berry weight and number of spikes vine-1 whereas, lower CV was observed for berry size. Fresh berry weight showed significant positive correlation with dry berry weight followed by number of spikes vine-1 whereas, number of immature berries spike-1 and berry size showed significant negative association with setting percentage. High positive direct effect of fresh berry weight on dry berry weight was observed during path analysis. Both fresh rachis weight and number of spike vine-1 had indirect positive effects on dry berry weight through fresh berry weight. Residual effect was meagre suggesting that the 17 quantitative traits explained 99% variability. Traits like number of spikes vine-1 and fresh berry weight are the important traits that need to be augmented during improvement of black pepper for yield

Organizational culture and information privacy assimilation: An empirical study

Data privacy concerns in organizations have been rising over the past several decades. As per the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), organizations need to implement highest possible privacy settings by design and default. This study develops a model for understanding the mechanisms of information privacy assimilation in Information Technology (IT) organizations. This study treats information privacy as a distinct dimension separate from information security. We have examined the mediating role of senior management participation and organizational culture on privacy assimilation (strategy and organizational activities). On the strategy, our findings showed that full mediating role of senior management participation for coercive forces, partial mediation for normative and mimetic forces. On the organizational activities, our findings showed that full mediating role of organizational culture for coercive forces and normative forces, partial mediation for mimetic forces. These findings would enable senior managers to identify and respond to institutional pressures by focusing on appropriate factors within the organization

Compatibility of RuO₂ electrodes with PZT ceramics

Because of its high electrical conductivity and good diffusion barrier properties ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) is a good electrode material for use with ferroelectric lead zirconate–titanate (PZT) solid solutions. Under certain conditions, RuO2 can react with PZT to form lead ruthenate (Pb2Ru2O6⋅5) during processing at elevated temperatures resulting in lead depletion from PZT. The standard Gibbs energies of formation of RuO2 and Pb2Ru2O6⋅5 and activities of components of the PZT solid solution have been determined recently. Using this data along with older thermodynamic information on PbZrO3 and PbTiO3, the stability domain of Pb2Ru2O6⋅5 is computed as a function of PZT composition, temperature and oxygen partial pressure in the gas phase. The results show PbZrO3-rich compositions are more prone to react with RuO2 at all temperatures. Increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure suppress the reaction. Graphically displayed are the reaction zones as a function of oxygen partial pressure and PZT composition at temperatures 973, 1173 and 1373 K

Thermal expansion of doped lanthanum gallates

Thermal expansion of several compositions of Sr and Mg-doped LaGaO3 including an A-site deficient composition (La0.9Sr0.1)0.98(Ga0.8Mg0.2)O2.821 were measured in the temperature range from 298 to 1273 K. The effect of doping on thermal expansion was studied by varying the composition at one site of the perovskite structure (either A or B), while keeping the composition at the other site invariant. Thermal expansion varied nonlinearly with temperature and exhibited an inflexion between 550 and 620 K, probably related to the change in crystal structure from orthorhombic to rhombohedral. The dependence of average thermal expansion coefficient (α av) on the dopant concentration on either A or B site of the perovskite structure was found to be linear, when the composition at the other site was kept constant. Mg doping on the B-site had a greater effect on the average thermal expansion coefficient than Sr doping on the A-site. Cation deficiency at the A-site decreases thermal expansion when compositions at both sites are held constant

Antecedents of Information Privacy Assimilation in Indian IT Organizations: An Empirical Investigation

Information privacy at the organizational level is receiving increased attention due to the huge amount of personal information being stored, transmitted across national boundaries, and ownership being shared between organizations due to change in business dynamics. This study develops a framework for understanding the mechanisms of information privacy assimilation in Information Technology (IT) organizations. There is a great need for investigating the interplay between external forces and internal influencers that impact the privacy assimilation practices within an organization. To fill this gap, we empirically examined the interplay between the external forces and internal influencers following the institutional theory. Specifically, we have examined the nature and relative significance of influencing forces, and the mediating role of senior management participation. Also, the moderating effects of process capability and cultural aspects have been investigated. This study treats information privacy as a distinct dimension separate from information security. Our findings show that mediating role of senior management participation for coercive and normative forces. Mimetic forces appears to have direct impact on assimilation. Also, positive moderating effect of process capability and negative moderating effect of cultural aspects is observed for coercive forces. These findings would enable senior managers identify and respond to institutional pressures by focusing on appropriate factors within the organization

Understanding Information Privacy Assimilation in IT Organizations using Multi-site Case Studies

We develop a framework for understanding the mechanisms of information privacy assimilation in information technology (IT) organizations. Following neo-institutional theory, we develop a broad conceptual model and further build a detailed theory based on a multi-site, multi-case study of 18 organizations. We treat information privacy as a distinct dimension separate from information security. As in the case of information security, senior management support emerged as a mediator between the external influences of coercive, mimetic, and normative forces and information privacy assimilation. Privacy capability emerged as a distinct construct that had a moderating effect on the influence of coercive and normative forces on privacy assimilation. Similarly, cultural acceptability also moderated the effect of external forces on privacy assimilation. We produce a theoretical model that future research can empirically test. The findings would enable senior managers identify and respond to institutional pressures by focusing on appropriate factors in the organizations

Thermodynamic evidence for phase transition in MoO<SUB>2-&#948;</SUB>

The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of MoO2-&#948;, &#916;fG(MoO2-&#948;), has been measured over a wide temperature range (925 to 1925) K using an advanced version of bi-electrolyte solid-state electrochemical cell incorporating a buffer electrode: Pt|Mo + MoO2-&#948;||(Y2O3)ThO2||(CaO)ZrO2||O2(0.1MPa)|Pt The Gibbs free energy of formation of MoO2-&#948;, which is directly related to the measured cell e.m.f., can be represented by two linear segments: &#916;fG&#176;(MoO2-&#948;)&#177;570(Jmol-1)=-579,821+170.003(T/K) in the temperature range(925 to 1533)K, and &#916;fG&#176;(MoO2-&#948;)&#177;510(Jmol-1)=-564,634+160.096(T/K) in the temperature range (1533 to 1925) K. The change in slope at T = 1533 K is probably related to the phase transition of MoO2 from monoclinic structure with space group P21/c to tetragonal structure characteristic of rutile with space group P42/mnm. The enthalpy and entropy change for the phase transition are: &#916;Htr = (15.19 &#177; 2.1) kJ &#183; mol-1; &#916;Str = (9.91 &#177; 1.27) J &#183; mol-1&#183; K-1. The standard enthalpy of formation of MoO2-&#948; at T = 298.15 K assessed by the third-law method is: &#948;fH(M&#177;O2-&#948;) = (-592.28 &#177; 0.33) kJ&#183; mol-1. The new measurements refine thermodynamic data for MoO2

First record of the glass octopus Vitreledonella richardi (Cephalopoda: Vitreledonellidae) from the Arabian Sea

Background: Arabian Sea considered as one of the richest region of oceanic cephalopods. On conflicting information related to species diversity is still scare. Result: This work presents the first report of a paralarvae of glass octopus Vitreledonella richardi from the Arabian Sea. A single specimen was collected during dusk by Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl net on 28 February 2015. (Horizon of 150 m at 09° 52′ 30″ N; 73° 37′ 22″ E, bottom depth: 2005 m). A description of the specimen is provided. Conclusion: Record of this rare squid, from Arabian Sea is an addition to the cephalopod fauna of India

Rare observation of scar-bearing cuttlebone in a wild-caught Sepia pharaonis (Cephalopoda: Sepiidae) from southeastern Arabian Sea

A rare observation of the severely fractured cum healing cuttlebone of wild-caught Sepia pharaonis is reported and discussed here. The observation showed that cuttlebone of one specimen was severely affected by scars. Scars were interpreted as oval-shaped teeth marks on the dorsal side having a diameter of 23 mm. Several other teeth marks (3-4 numbers) were also observed at the anterodorsal region. Fracture was completely healed at the dorsal side while fracture (19 mm length) was notable in posteroventral region. Inverted ‘V’shaped blackline was also observed on the posteroventral region. However, scar-bearing cuttlebones was more or less symmetrical with respect to the sagittal plane

Rare occurrence of Reinhardt’s cranch squid Liocranchia reinhardti (Cephalopod: Cranchiidae) from southeastern Arabian Sea

Single individual of the rare cranchiid squid Liocranchia reinhardti belonging to the Cranchiidae family was caught in a bottom trawl operated at 80 m in southeastern Arabian Sea. The morphometric measurements and indices of the specimen are provided. Statolith microstructure analysis revealed that the L. reinhardti with 118 mm dorsal mantle length (DML) had an age of 71 days with growth rate of 1.66 mm DML/day