Labour Migration in Indo-Gangetic Plains: Determinants and Impacts on Socio-economic Welfare

In India, male out-migration from rural to urban areas has increased in recent years, especially in the Indo- Gangetic regions of the country. This indicates that most of the developed regions of India are utilizing labour force of backward areas. The paper has investigated on labour out-migration from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to find its determinants and its impacts on farm economy. The analysis of determinants shown that the number of members in a family and their educational status have a positive impact on migration. As a result of male out-migration, the women left behind in the villages assume a major role in various farm activities resulting in the so-called ‘feminization of agriculture’. It has also empowered the female members of the migrant households in terms of enhancing their decision-making role in various activities. The study has observed some policy implications in terms of formation of self-help groups or labour societies to help out-migrants, organization of training programmes for capacity building of women, more thrust on education a girl-child and development of infrastructure in the rural areas.Labour migration, Feminization of agriculture, Farm-women empowerment, Impact on farm socio-economy, Agricultural and Food Policy, J61, J23, J31,

Synthesis, spectral analysis and study of antimicrobial activity of 2,5-diformyl-1H-pyrrole bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)dimalonohydrazone

AbstractWe have synthesized 2,5-diformyl-1H-pyrrole bis(methan-1-yl-1-ylidene)dimalonohydrazone (DPBMD) and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis, Mass, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations were performed by ab initio RHF and density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP method, 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets. The calculated scaled vibrational frequency values have been compared with experimental FT-IR spectrum. The calculated result shows excellent agreement between experimental and calculated frequencies at B3LYP method and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The thermodynamics properties, NBO, nonlinear optical properties and mulliken charges of DPBMD have also been analyzed. Involvement of nitrogen [N8/N18] and [N14/N24] lone pairs of electron with [π∗(C9–O10), π∗(C6–N7)/π∗(C16–N17), π∗(C19–O20)] and [(π∗(C12–O13)/π∗(C22–O23)] leads to an enormous stabilization of 84.6/84.6 and 64.1/64.1kcal/mol of the molecule. A combined experimental and theoretical stretching wavenumber symmetric (3003, 3332cm−1) and asymmetric (3276, 3398cm−1) analysis confirms free NH2 groups in DPBMD. The calculated first hyperpolarizability (β0=5.80×10−30esu) at B3LYP method and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets indicates that DPBMD can be used as an attractive material for non-linear optical. The electronic descriptor analysis indicates that DPBMD is a good precursor for heterocyclic synthesis and as ligand for metal complex formation. The preliminary bioassay suggested that the DPBMD compound exhibits relatively good antibacterial and fungicidal activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger

On Managing Texas Rural Water Supply Systems: A Socioeconomic Analysis and Quality Evaluation

Research Objectives The study reported here is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of nonprofit, rural water supply corporations or water systems (hereafter referred to as RWSs) in Texas from a sociological perspective. Specifically, the study has attempted to: 1. Provide an overview of the organizational structure and functioning of RWSs, identifying their existing as well as emerging needs, problems, and suggested solutions. It explores socioeconomic characteristics and patterns of RWSs in Texas. It outlines a history of state and federal regulations and practices through which these systems are structured and actually function. 2. Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the management of selected RWSs located in different geographical regions of Texas. The evaluation of effectiveness of systems is accomplished through a systematic set of procedures and techniques. These procedures are tested for reliability and validity through empirical data. In addition, the differential levels of program effectiveness of RWSs are elaborated upon by correlating them with relevant socioeconomic variables. 3. Indicate policy and research implications of data for dealing with the future of rural water systems. Expected Contributions The rural populations in the U.S. started experiencing steady increases during the 1970s and early 1980s (Goodwin et al., 1984). Although the rural population growth at the national level showed a few differential trends during mid to late 1980s (Figures 3 and 4 in Appendix A), the state of Texas registered a population influx in many nonmetropolitan areas during the last decade (U.S.D.A., 1990: 11). Overall, a significant portion of Texas' population still resides in rural areas (Texas Department of Water Resources, 1984: 7). However, it appears that a larger number of studies have focused on water-management related problems and issues for urban areas than those for rural communities in Texas (e.g., Knudson, 1986; Meier and Thorton, 1973; Murdock et al., 1988; Texas Department of Water Resources, 1985; Texas Water Development Board, 1990;1 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1989). While rural water problems have been examined carefully in several parts of the country, we could not find a single study in Texas systematically examining water-related needs and issues confronting rural communities. The need to study rural water supply has become even more important now because of the challenge faced by small community systems in complying with the provisions of the 1986 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). These small systems, with their limited customer and revenue bases, will face formidable expense in installing new water treatment methods (Jensen, 1990; Long and Stukenberg, 1987: 38; Texas Water Development Board, 1990: 14). The present study is a timely probe into the phenomena of rural water supply. The study is aimed at developing and using a methodology to evaluate the program effectiveness of RWSs. In recent years, interest has mounted for employing the research techniques of social sciences in efforts to assess the effectiveness of public programs. The 1970s and 1980s, decades of rapid-paced growth of RWSs in Texas and elsewhere, were marked by the proliferation of public expenditures. The study uses a set of indicators to identify effectiveness and efficiency of rural water projects. Such measures for analysis and appraisal of these projects may contribute to more informed and intelligent planning for the future. The study is also expected to provide a critical probe and insight into an evaluation methodology that may be used in future studies investigating public programs. To this end, the research reported here is exploratory in nature and may set grounds for more critical studies in the area. The study, for example, develops a baseline against which to measure future changes and trend in rural water supplies in Texas as well as in other parts of the country. Organization of the Report The remaining three-section organizational design of this report emerged from the objectives of the study stated earlier. The second section presents an overview of the history, organizational structure, and functioning of the RWSs in Texas. The third section includes a systematic outline of methodology employed for evaluating the effectiveness of RWSs in Texas. It presents the major findings from surveys conducted in two phases. Data from both phases are presented and interpreted. Finally, the fourth section is meant to provide a summary of conclusions and implications of the study. Selected notes, elaborating on particular points, are given just before listing the references used in the study. Selected figures and tables as well as data collection instruments used during the two phases of research are enclosed in two appendices

Master curve in upper region of ductile brittle transition: a modification based on local damage approach

AbstractThe fracture behaviour of ferritic/ferritic martensitic steels in Ductile to Brittle Transition (DBT) region is well captured by Master Curve approach, except in the upper region of transition due to ductile tearing prior to cleavage. The fracture toughness behavior in the upper region of DBT is generally censored by Master Curve. In this work the Master Curve approach is modified to extend its applicability to the upper region of transition. The ductile tearing in the upper region of transition, increased sampled volume and constraint increment are addressed in this work using constraint parameter Tstress and numerical analyses using GTN damage

Graphical Simulation Tool from Logical Token-based Distributed Mutual Exclusion Algorithms�

Computer Science

Critical exponents in Ising spin glasses

We determine accurate values of ordering temperatures and critical exponents for Ising Spin Glass transitions in dimension 4, using a combination of finite size scaling and non-equilibrium scaling techniques. We find that the exponents $\eta$ and $z$ vary with the form of the interaction distribution, indicating non-universality at Ising spin glass transitions. These results confirm conclusions drawn from numerical data for dimension 3.Comment: 6 pages, RevTeX (or Latex, etc), 10 figures, Submitted to PR

Creep Modelling of P91 Steel for High Temperature Power Plant Applications

AbstractThere has been considerable interest in the development of continuum damage (CDM) mechanism based model for creep life predictions of 9CrMoNbV steel. It is reported that the steel has high dislocation density in normalized and tempered condition whereas with creep exposure it goes down significantly. The paper examines one of the recent models and attempts to incorporate this as an additional damage parameter. This has resulted in much better prediction of creep stain time plots for this steel

The Development of Botanical Products with Special Reference to Seri-Ecosystem

The search for alternative ways of controlling sericultural pests has led to the investigation of plant sources for naturally occurring compounds which may have Insect growth regulatory, feeding deterrency, repellency and confusantcy characteristics. More than 2000 species of the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae are known that possess some insecticidal activity. Plants with insecticidal properties found in India are reported. But to use them it is necessary to conduct an analysis of the risks to the environment and to human health. Various parts of rotenone, pyrethrum, sabadilla, ryania and neem are often used to minimize pest population. Recently several other plants viz. Pongamia, Indian privet, Adathoda, Chrysanthemum, Turmeric, Onion, Garlic, Tobacco, Basili, Custard apple, Ginger and some other plants have been screened and their efficacy has been tested. The efficacy of leaf extracts of basil (Ocimum basilicum), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), lemon grass (Cymbopogen citratus), and Chenopodium ambroissoides was investigated for its insecticidal and ovicidal activity against coleopteran bruchids. Several citrus limonoids and limonin derivatives have been found to be insect antifeedants. Among all the plant originated insecticides, neem (Azadirachta indica, A. juss) is known to contain diverse array of biologically active principles of which azadirachtin (a tetranortriterpenoid) is the best known derivatives which is used in sericulture to control various pests. Botanical insecticides are prepared in the form of the crude plant material, extracts or resins. This paper includes the plants that have been reported to be insecticidal against the pests, which visit seri-ecosystem and damage the silkworm and its host plants

Genetic mapping of pre-harvest sprouting resistance loci in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Non-Peer ReviewedPre-harvest sprouting (PHS) in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the germination of mature grain while still in spike. PHS causes downgrading of grain quality which severely limits its end use. In western Canada, cool and wet weather during harvest makes the crops susceptible to PHS. Breeding for PHS tolerance in wheat is challenging on phenotypic basis because PHS is inherited quantitatively and strongly affected by environmental conditions. A mapping population of one hundred and fifty one doubled haploid (DH) lines from a cross between two spring wheat cultivars ND690 (non-dormant) and W98616 (dormant) was developed for genetic mapping of PHS resistance loci. Initially, 20 dormant and 20 non dormant lines were used for genetic mapping with SSR (Simple sequence repeat) and AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism) markers. A total of 550 markers (300 SSR markers and 250 AFLP) markers have been mapped on different chromosomes. Five chromosomal regions on the chromosomes 1A, 3B, 4A, 5B and 6B associated with pre-harvest sprouting were identified in this study

Identification and validation of QTLs associated with pre-harvest sprouting tolerance in bread wheat

Non-Peer ReviewedPre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is the in-spike germination of physiologically mature grain in response to relatively high humidity due to untimely rains prior to harvest. PHS in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) results in substantial economic loss, as it decreases the functional quality of wheat grain. The Canadian Grain Commission sets the limit of percentage severely sprouted and total sprouted grain depending on the grade and wheat classes. Pre-harvest sprouted wheat is reduced in grade and value, depending on the quantity of sprouted kernels present in a sample. Breeding for PHS tolerance in wheat is challenging on phenotypic basis because PHS is inherited quantitatively and highly influenced by environmental conditions. Seed dormancy is the main factor responsible for conferring the PHS resistance to the grains of bread wheat. The objectives of this study were to identify and validate the major quantitative loci (QTL) for pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) resistance in bread wheat. A F1-derived doubled haploid (DH) population of 151 lines from a cross between two spring wheat cultivars ND690 (nondormant) and W98616 (dormant) was used to identify the genomic regions associated with PHS tolerance. A total of 950 polymorphic markers (369 SSR, 306 AFLP, 267 DArT and 8 EST) have been used to develop a genetic map and to identify QTLs for PHS tolerance. Interval mapping revealed a major QTL on chromosome 4A explaining 25% phenotypic variation in this mapping population. Forty two Canadian wheat cultivars and germplasm lines were screened with the DNA marker in the QTL region on chromosome 4A for validation. 113 BC1F1 plants from four different backcrosses were screened with the marker associated with PHS resistance. Marker assisted back crossing reduced the population size in BC1F1 generation by 40.7%. This information will help the plant breeders to pyramid this QTL with other QTLs from different PHS resistance sources