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The rapid growth of soybean cultivation in the world augurs well for achieving SDG2 of promoting sustainable agriculture, ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition. India started promoting soybean cultivation in the 1970s to combat dietary protein deficiencies and augment smallholders' incomes. However, soybean yield remains low and plateaued at one ton per hectare for the past three decades. This paper leverages a large primary dataset and explores the speed of soybean varietal change by applying survival functions and analyzing determinants of varietal turnover time employing a dynamic framework and harnessing duration analysis. The results show that adopting leading soybean varieties has reached saturation and that policy intervention can have an immediate impact. The weighted average age of soybean varieties in farmers' fields is relatively high at 15.6 years, implying a slower varietal change rate. The lack of improved varieties with desirable traits, poor information flow, and growers' preference for traits beyond yield-hamper faster varietal substitution. Further, analysis indicates regional variations in driving the speed of varietal replacement. The findings have significant implications for spurring soybean yields through investments in varietal development, leveraging modern molecular methods for long juvenility and photo-insensitivity, disseminating information, and institutional changes enabling the private sector participation in crop breeding. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Optimization of media composition for microbial growth is crucial particularly in industrial processes to obtain the desired end product. The waste from sea food industries includes the non-edible parts of shrimp, crabs and prawns which are rich in chitin as the major cause of pollution in coastal areas. Chitin degradation is carried out chemically. It can be degraded biologically also, particularly using microorganisms resulting in chitooligosaccahrides and the monomer N -acetylglucosamine. N -acetyl glucosamine and related chitooligosaccahrides have various applications such as treatment of cancer and metastasis, treatment of autoimmune reactions, as food supplements and increased plant stress tolerance against salinity and heavy metals. Thus, chitin waste can be efficiently degraded biologically using microorganisms to produce such useful products. Conventional methods such as One factor at a time (OFAT) are more time consuming and costly to address the problem. The current work focuses on the development of an experimental design to ascertain parameters optimized for chitin degradation by a Streptomyces chilikensis to produce various chitooligosaccharides. More than one factor was taken at a time to carry out the experiments and the data were fit into Taguchi Design to determine the contribution of the most important factors responsible for the production of the desired end product that is NAG and other chitooligosaccaharides. Highest NAG production (3741 μM/reaction) was observed in a media that contains 0.5% Raffinose (w/v), 0.5% peptone (w/v), 2.5% NaCl at pH 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chitin is one of the most abundant biopolymers present in the environment. Chitosan being its major derivative can be obtained by hydrolysis of chitin, especially by microbial degradation. Estimation of resulting chitosan produced by chitin degradation is crucial to the process. Usefulness of the method of Badawy (Badawy, 2012) for estimation of chitosan is limited by interference resulting from susceptibility to variation in the pH of the sample and thiobarbituric acid. This work presents an improvement of the method proposed by Badawy for colorimetric determination of chitosan by using 3, 5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) reagent instead of thiobarbituric acid, after one step depolymerization and deamination of chitosan with sodium nitrite (NaNO 2). Eventually colorimetric estimation was carried out at 540 nm. With the use of DNSA reagent, the limitation of thiobarbituric acid are overcome. This method is easy, cost effective, and sensitive for quantitative determination of chitosan. This new improved method was applied for evaluation and quantification of chitosan produced by microbial degradation of chitin waste by different novel Streptomyces strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Rice is the foremost staple food in the world, safeguarding the global food and nutritional security. Rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water deficits are threatening global rice productivity and sustainability. Under real field conditions these climatic factors often interact with each other resulting in impacts that are remarkably different compared to individual factor exposure. Rice soils exposed to drought and elevated CO 2 (eCO 2) alters the biomass, diversity and activity of soil microorganisms affecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dynamics. In this review we have discussed the impacts of eCO 2 and water deficit on agronomic, biochemical and physiological responses of rice and GHGs emissions from rice soils. Drought usually results in oxidative stress due to stomatal closure, dry weight reduction, formation of reactive oxygen species, decrease in relative water content and increase in electrolyte leakage at almost all growth and developmental phases of rice. Elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentration reduces the negative effects of drought by improving plant water relations, reducing stomatal opening, decreasing transpiration, increasing canopy photosynthesis, shortening crop growth period and increasing the antioxidant metabolite activities in rice. Increased scientific understanding of the effects of drought and eCO 2 on rice agronomy, physiology and GHG emission dynamics of rice soil is essential for devising adaptation options. Integration of novel agronomic practices viz., crop establishment methods and alternate cropping systems with improved water and nutrient management are important steps to help rice farmers cope with drought and eCO 2. The review summarizes future research needs for ensuring sustained global food security under future warmer, drier and high CO 2 conditions. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • Agronomic management options are promising for mitigating water deficit stress. • Rice crop behavior under elevated CO 2 condition was discussed. • Opportunities under elevated CO 2 are reviewed to explore the future research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The study is based on a latest nationally representative household-level data. • Milk marketing is still dominated by traditional outlets. • Modern milk marketing chains affect food security of dairy farmers positively. • Modern milk-marketing outlets significantly increases net returns from dairying. • Association with dairy cooperatives increases consumption expenditure also. Abstract The Indian government has made significant efforts to promote dairy cooperatives to link the milk producers with consumers. Despite this, milk marketing is still dominated by traditional outlets. This paper examines the impact of modern dairy value chains on food security indicators such as net returns from dairying and consumption expenditures. Using a large, national, farm-level dataset from India and a multinomial endogenous switching regression model, results reveal that Indian dairy farmers' integration with the modern dairy value chain has a positive and significant impact on their food security (measured by net returns and household consumption expenditures). Participation in modern milk-marketing outlets significantly increases net returns per year, regardless of whether farmers choose one outlet or a combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the efficacy of the Anterior Middle Superior Alveolar nerve block with that of the Infra-orbital nerve block in achieving anesthesia in the anterior maxillary teeth. Study design We recruited 62 patients who underwent vital tooth/teeth extraction under local anesthesia. We divided the patients into two groups: group A received Anterior Middle Superior Alveolar (AMSA) nerve block and group I received Infra-orbital nerve block (IONB). We assessed the Pulpal anesthesia by Pulp Tester with 0–10 digital reading, soft tissue anesthesia by pricking with periosteal elevator and injection pain using10 cm VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score. We entered collected data in Microsoft excel 2010 and categorical variables analysed using Chi Square test and non-categorical variables analysed using Independent t (parametric) and Mann Whitney U (non-parametric) tests. Results We achieved significantly higher pulpal anesthesia with infra-orbital nerve block for canine (p = .04) and 1st premolar (p = .02) as compared to anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block; but no significant difference was found in pulpal anesthesia for 2nd premolar, central and lateral incisors. The labial gingival anesthesia was significantly higher with infra-orbital nerve block than with anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block (p < 0.001). The VAS score in group I was 5.2 ± 2.1 (mean ± SD) and that in group A was 3.9 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) which was statistically significant (p = .004). Conclusion Anterior middle superior alveolar nerve block resulted in inadequate pulpal and soft tissue anesthesia but less injection pain. Infra-orbital nerve block produced higher pulpal anesthesia for 1st premolar and canine but more injection pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for organic basmati rice (OBR), both at home and abroad, coupled with policy reforms have given rise to contract farming (CF) production in India. OBR production, however, is highly susceptible to weather and pest risks. This study investigates the impact of smallholders’ perceived production risks on their adoption of CF in OBR farming. We also assess the impact of CF in OBR production on yields, prices received, and the livelihood of OBR producers. We use farm-level data from smallholder organic basmati rice farms in India and the endogenous switching regression method to account for heterogeneity. Although CF in OBR led to lower yields, it increased the prices producers received and improved the livelihood of OBR producers. The impact of CF varied with farmers’ revealed risk attitudes. Risk-loving OBR growers with CF experienced the highest loss in yields, and risk-averse OBR growers with CF received the highest prices. We find that the OBR growers who did not adopt CF would benefit from adopting it, regardless of their risk attitudes, especially when it comes to prices received and livelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice is the foremost staple food in India, safeguarding the food security of the country. Rising levels of atmospheric CO 2 concentration affect water productivity and antioxidant enzyme activities of rice, yet the interactive effects of elevated CO 2 (ECO 2 ) and water deficit stress (WDS) on rice has remained unclear. The present experiment was conducted for two years under Open Top Chambers (OTCs) to elucidate the effects of ambient CO 2 (400 ± 10 μmol mol −1 ) and two levels of ECO 2 (550 ± 20 μmol mol −1 and 700 ± 20 μmol mol −1 ) under well watered condition (WW) and water deficit stressed to −60 kPa on water productivity (Wp) and antioxidant enzyme activities in rice. In water deficit treatments, measured amount of water was applied as surface irrigation, each time the soil water potential as measured by tensiometers, reached −60 kPa. The results showed that ECO 2 increased the growth and yield characteristics, e.g., leaf area index and productive tillers, resulting in an increase in grain and straw yield under both WW and WDS. The increased concentration of antioxidant enzymes like proline, catalase and peroxidase under ECO 2 helped the plant to combat the adverse effects of WDS. Under ECO 2 , there was a decrease in irrigation water input by 5–14%, resulting in increase in water productivity (Wp) by 35–49% under different water regimes. ECO 2 had positive effect on plant height, productive tillers, grain and straw yields even under WDS because the temperature at our study site did not increase beyond 33 °C during rice reproductive phase. Our data provides an opportunity to test theoretical models for evaluating rice production under climate change scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gangotri, one of the longest valley glaciers of the Garhwal Himalaya has attracted global attention due to rapid rate of retreat. It is characterized by supraglacial moraines, supraglacial lakes, intensive crevasses, active and inactive tributary glaciers which were mainly responsible for the enhanced recession rate of the glacier. However, contrary to the generally accepted notion of “Global Warming”, the Gangotri Glacier has been experiencing diminishing rates of retreat during last five decades. High retreat rate of 38 m/y observed in 1970s has been reduced in 1980s and maintaining the similar trend in the recent decades with reduced rate of retreat around 10 m/y in 2015. The measurement of Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) and ablation area over the last few decades also explained that the response of Gangotri Glacier is not in pace with the global warming trend. Glacial (Gl) and glacio-fluvial (Gf) features have been identified as the marker morphological zones which provides information about pattern of retreat and ELA. The sediment size decreases whereas sorting, roundness and percentage of matrix increases from Gl-Gf zone. The glacial zone contains the primary sediments and provides information about the pattern of retreat and ELA. The glacio-fluvial outwash plain exhibits modification of glacial signatures and often contains secondary sediments. Further, different rate of fluctuation observed in different glaciers indicate that the glaciers are not uniformly responding with change in climatic conditions, especially with respect to global warming. Such observations and present study suggest that fluctuation of a glacier is not only controlled by global warming induced temperature but also governed by characteristics of the glacier and local morphological factors. Hence, the analysis of the pattern of retreat, ELA and retreat related morphological zones, provide real information and precise glacial history of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to ensure food safety is by enhancing compliance at the farm level. This study investigates the status, estimates the cost, identifies the determinants, and assesses the impact of compliance with food safety measures (FSM) in milk production in Nepal. The study is based on primary data collected from six high milk producing districts that captures the geographical and institutional diversity of milk production. Results show that the status of farm level compliance with FSM is not very encouraging. Also, the intensity of adoption of FSM exhibits significant inter- and intra-district variations. It varies positively with herd size but the additional cost of compliance with FSM varies negatively with herd size. Among other determinants, access to information, and incidence of inspection for conformity with safety and quality standards are also associated with higher adoption of FSM. Finally, we also estimate the impact of FSM on farm-gate prices and farmers’ profits and conduct several robustness checks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of six irrigation regimes on grain yield, yield attributes, water use efficiency, plant water status and antioxidant metabolite content of four rice varieties. We conducted a two year (dry seasons of 2014 and 2015) field experiment with four rice varieties (Apo, Annada, Satabdi and Naveen) and six irrigation schedules based on tensiometric measurement of soil water potential (SWP) with irrigation thresholds of −20 (SWP 1), −30 (SWP 2), −40 (SWP 3), −50 (SWP 4) and −60 kPa (SWP 5), in addition to the traditional practice of growing flooded rice (CF). Among the six irrigation treatments, both grain yield and water input were lowest at SWP 5 and highest at CF. There was no significant difference in grain yield upto SWP 3 for Apo and Annada, whereas for Naveen and Satabdi the yield difference was non-significant up to SWP 2 as compared to CF. Reduced electrolyte leakage, root bleeding rate and increased concentration of proline, catalase and peroxidase contributed to tolerate the water deficit stress and higher grain yield in Apo and Annada varieties. The results indicated that adoption of water deficit irrigation strategy with an appropriate irrigation threshold and tolerant varieties can save water and increase water productivity. Rice genotypes having inherent capacity to produce higher amount of antioxidant metabolites in response to water deficit stress should be a primary target of breeding high yielding rice varieties for water deficit environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a methodological framework to identify population-wide traveler type distribution and simultaneously infer individual travelers’ Origin-Destination (OD) pairs, based on the individual records of a shared mobility (bike) system use in a multimodal travel environment. Given the information about the travelers’ outbound and inbound bike stations under varied price settings, the developed Selective Set Expectation Maximization (SSEM) algorithm infers an underlying distribution of travelers over the given traveler “types,” or “classes,” treating each traveler’s OD pair as a latent variable; the inferred most likely traveler type for each traveler then informs their most likely OD pair. The experimental results based on simulated data demonstrate high SSEM learning accuracy both on the aggregate and dissagregate levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the anticipated water scarcity and global warming scenario; it is imperative to identify suitable irrigation scheduling strategy in paddy fields for increasing water productivity and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We conducted a two year (dry season of 2014 and 2015) field experiment for irrigation scheduling based on tensiometric measurement of soil water potential (SWP) in order to quantify temporal and seasonal variations in GHGs emissions and their trade off relationship at five levels of SWPs viz. SWP 1 (−20 kPa), SWP 2 (−30 kPa), SWP 3 (−40 kPa), SWP 4 (−50 kPa) and SWP 5 (−60 kPa), in addition to the traditional practice of growing flooded rice (CF). Fluxes of methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) during the growing period were measured using manual closed chamber-gas chromatograph and the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) flux was measured using an infrared CO 2 analyzer. A significant decrease in seasonal cumulative CH 4 emission (30–60.2%) was recorded at different SWPs as compared to CF. In contrast, emission of CO 2 and N 2 O increased by 12.9–26.6% and 16.3–22.1% respectively at SWPs 1 and 2; conversely, a significant decrease in emissions of these gases were observed at higher SWPs (SWPs 3–5). Among different SWP treatments, irrigation scheduling at SWP 2 maintained yield at par with CF with water saving of 32.9–41.1% and reduced CH 4 emission (43–44.1%). However, due to increase in CO 2 and N 2 O emission at SWP 2, there was no significant reduction in global warming potential (GWP) as compared with CF. Among different rice growth stages GHGs emission were predominant during vegetative growth stage. Regression relationship of GHGs emission with key soil parameters was employed to predict seasonal emissions of GHGs from paddy field. The results of this study suggest that scheduling irrigation at SWP 2 can be an effective strategy in order to save water, maintain rice yield and mitigate CH 4 emission from direct seeded paddy fields in eastern India, however further research is needed to identify suitable management strategy for reducing CO 2 and N 2 O emissions at SWP 2 in order to reduce the GWP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nepal’s population continues to grow, but the agricultural sector’s performance remains almost stagnant. This has led to a decline in the per capita availability of food. Increasing agricultural productivity is the key to agricultural growth, and one strategy for increasing agricultural productivity is to use improved seeds. This study investigates the impact of contract farming (CF) in high yielding varieties (HYV) of paddy seed production on costs, yield, and profits of smallholder farms in Nepal. Using farm-level data and a non-parametric propensity score matching estimator, the study finds a significant positive impact of contract HYV seed farming on revenues, profits, and yield, and a significant negative impact on total costs of production. Additionally, very small farms (⩽0.43 ha) with CF in HYV paddy seeds tend to gain the most when it comes to yield per hectare. Our estimates reveal that the average smallholder household in Nepal engaged in CF with input conditions receives higher profits. However, farmers engaged in CF with output conditions tend to have higher yields but smaller profits. Finally, farmers engaged in CF in HYV paddy seeds with both input and output conditions have the highest yield gains and significantly higher profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt is made to observe light induced defects (LID) in amorphous chalcogenides Se 90 X 10 (X = Sb, In, Ag) thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation technique. For the determination of light induced defects quantitatively, space charge limited current (SCLC) measurements have been made in a vacuum ∼10 −3 Torr before and after exposing amorphous films to white light for different exposure times (0 to 6 h). Results indicate that light induced metastable defects are created due to prolonged exposure of light which is explained by a microscopic model for light induced metastable defects creation proposed by Shimakawa and co-workers. Fractional increase in density of defects due to light exposure is found to be least in case of Se 90 Ag 10 indicating that this alloy may be used for optoelectronic applications as degradation upon light soaking is small in this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report a rare case of Nigerian symmetrical pygopagus conjoined twins. They had sharing of anal canal, genitourinary system along with the fused spinal cords with a single dysplastic sacrum. Both the twin sisters were healthy and without any major health issues. The main challenge was to separate them without any neurological deficit, with continent bladder and bowel habits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present paper we report the effect of electric field on the semiconducting parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) in glassy samples of Se90Sb10−xAgx (where x=0, 2, 4, 6, 8). The temperature dependence of d.c. conductivity is studied at different electric fields. In a particular composition, at low electric field upto 103 V/cm neither activation energy nor pre-exponential factor depends on electric field as expected in the case of ohmic region. However, at higher electric field where super ohmic region is observed, activation energy and pre-exponential factor both vary with electric field. A correlation between activation energy and pre-exponential factor is also found in these glassy alloys, which is explained by Yelon and Movaghar model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Develops an approach for intermodal network design based on traffic flow prediction and network optimization. [•] Dynamic reallocation/reconfiguration between road and rail networks. [•] The paper makes a valuable impact in the area of logistics network design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: India, which is in the mid latitude region, has extremly hot summers on its plains. In Northern and Central region of the country the maximum day temperature often goes beyond 45°C. The temperature inside the buildings, which generally have horizontal RCC roof, is unbearable without air conditioning. The steep rise in the cost of electricity has driven architects and builders to use passive cooling techniques in the construction. In this paper we examine the present methods that use an insulation layer to reduce the heat flux entering the living space bringing out their merits and demerits. Further we present an innovative approach in roof design that incorporates a layer of fly ash pieces which works as a porous insulation layer. The method has been implemented in a residential building in Delhi (28.380N). The experimental results demonstrate that the layer provides excellent insulation and it also shows structural stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background/Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anomalous clinical anatomy of congenital pouch colon (CPC) associated with anorectal agenesis in 22 consecutive girls managed over a study period of 7 years. Methods: The 22 patients were categorized into 2 groups. Group A consisted of 10 patients who presented during the neonatal period (n = 9) or as a young infant (n = 1). In these patients, only preliminary assessment results were available. Group B (12 patients) comprised 5 newborns who remained on follow-up and 7 patients who presented after the age of 1 year. These 12 patients were assessed and investigated in more detail. Results: In group A patients, apart from absence of the normal anal opening, the appearance of the external genitalia and perineum was essentially normal. Retraction of the labial folds showed radiation of folds inward from the margins of the vulval vestibule toward the center, at a point of confluence located at a higher level. At laparotomy, the subtypes of CPC were type I (n = 4), type II (n = 5), and type III (n = 1). In 8 patients, uterus didelphys was present. In all group B patients, the appearance of the external genitalia was similar to that in group A patients. However, separate openings of the urethra, septate vagina, and vestibular fistula (if present) were visible in 5 patients, whereas in 3 patients, a single perineal opening was identified. A total of 9/12 patients (75%) had urinary incontinence. Examination under anesthesia and endoscopy revealed a septate vagina in all 12 patients and an open, incompetent bladder neck with reduced bladder capacity in the 9 patients with urinary incontinence. The terminal fistula of the colonic pouch opened just distal to the bladder neck (n = 1), just posterior and cephalad to the urethral opening (n = 2), low in the vestibule (n = 5), and undetermined (n = 4). The subtypes of CPC were type I CPC (n = 2), type II CPC (n = 9), and type III CPC (n = 1). All 12 patients had uterus didelphys. Conclusions: The characteristics in the anomalous clinical anatomy of CPC in girls, as described here, appear to be almost invariable and, especially in regions where CPC is common, should alert the clinician to the presence of this malformation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although there are many uncertainties in hydrate dissociation process in porous media, numerical simulation gives useful information in evaluating economically feasible gas recovery processes from gas hydrate reservoirs. Furthermore, there are several unknown parameters involved in the numerical model and determination of accurate values of these parameters is essential for reliable production forecasts. One of these parameters is the variation of permeability of the porous media in the presence of hydrates. In this study the permeability to gas was experimentally determined at varying hydrate saturations in a porous medium made of packed glass beads. By comparing the experimentally determined permeability with those calculated using the empirical permeability correlations it was found that for initial water saturations less than 35%, hydrate tends to form on the grain surfaces. However, for initial water saturations greater than 35%, the experimental results indicate a pore filling tendency of hydrate formation. The experimental permeability values were also correlated with the Masuda et al.''s (1997) permeability model and a value of 3.0 was obtained for the permeability reduction exponent. To evaluate the impact of permeability reduction exponent on the dissociation process, a one-dimensional numerical model was developed for dissociation of gas hydrates in porous media by depressurization. The numerical model includes the three mechanisms i.e. kinetics of hydrate decomposition, heat transfer and fluid flow; that might be associated with the dissociation of hydrates in porous medium. The effect of permeability reduction exponent on the dissociation characteristics of hydrate was analyzed using this simulator. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A five-axis machine is presently one of the most versatile machine tools available and they are becoming increasingly common. To increase the accuracy capabilities of such machines, it is crucial to be able to study the geometric errors of the components and its effect on the quality of machined products. In five-axis machine tools, all linear axes are theoretically perpendicular (dot product, cos 90°=0) to each other and directed along or around the X, Y and Z of the cartesian coordinate system; but in working machines, the axes are nearly perpendicular (cos89.90°≠0) because of manufacturing error and assembly error or quasi-static error. The present paper discusses the development of a generalised error model for the effects of geometric errors of the components of the kinematic chain of a machine in the workspace and the results obtained by this model have been verified experimentally. The effect of geometric error has been studied further for cam profile generation using a five-axis machining centre and an improvement in the profile has been obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A conventional thermal evaporation technique has been used for thin film preparation of Se 40 As 60−y S y (y = 0, 10, 20) chalcogenide materials. Optical characterization has been done in the wavelength range of 600–2700 nm in the thin films of above mentioned materials. Various optical parameters like refractive index, extinction coefficient, dielectric constant, dielectric loss, absorption coefficient and band gap have been calculated after the analysis of transmission spectra of the given samples. On the basis of optical parameters the optical characteristics have been discussed for Se 40 As 60−y S y (y = 0, 10, 20) materials. Optical band gap is estimated by using Tauc's extrapolation and is found to increase with S addition. This behavior of optical band gap is interpreted in terms of co-ordination number and chemical bond energy. The outcomes of optical characterization motivated towards to find the scope of present glassy system as optical materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Submergence stress can affect physiological and agronomic behavior. • Physiological and molecular mechanisms are discussed. • Management practices could promote resilience to submergence stress. • Genetic approaches should be the primary focus for mitigating submergence stress. Rice is a crop of primary importance in regions, where two-thirds of the world's starving population reside. Recent climate change projections anticipate spatial shift in precipitation pattern and increase of flooding events that may have negative effects on rice yield and economic returns. Efforts for increasing rice production in areas prone to submergence stress will directly benefit hundreds of millions of people dependent on rice as their staple food. This necessitates an objective review of physiological mechanisms and management practices, which could sustain crop productivity under partial or complete submergence. Submergence usually reduces photosynthesis rate that results in quick depletion of the carbohydrate reserve and ultimately the plant dies. Varieties introgressed with SUB1A QTL maintains higher activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and low rate of chlorophyll degradation and thus exhibits better survival under submergence. Prolonged submergence results in a significant reduction in soil redox potential and the heavy influx of flood water promotes runoff, volatilization and deep percolation which leads to loss of sizeable amount of nutrients and ultimately causes nutrient deficiency in soil. Thus, to ensure optimum yield, it is essential to alter the nutrient schedule when plant is subjected to submergence stress. Agronomic management practices like seed priming, higher seed rates, alteration in crop geometry and other improved seeding methods enhance production efficiency by boosting germination, early growth and optimum partitioning of photosynthates to vegetative and reproductive parts. This review critically explores the complex problems faced by rice crop during submergence, physiological mechanisms that helps plant to cope up the submergence stress, as well as available cost-effective management strategies to arrest the yield decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CVOID-19 induced significant economic and social disruptions in India. Rural households, including smallholders, were affected by loss in migrant income, livelihood and farm and non-farm incomes. During this lockdown, the Indian government enacted several emergency legislations to provide direct and indirect relief to workers and households. India's COVID-19 social assistance package, namely, PM-GKY, announced in March 2020, was designed to provide immediate relief to the vulnerable population. The PM-GKY provided cash direct benefit transfers (DBT) and in-kind supports (IKS) through existing schemes. This study examines the impact of India's government assistance package (known as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana or PM-GKY), announced immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown, on the procurement of agricultural inputs for the upcoming farming season. The study uses a quasi-experimental method and survey data from 1,789 smallholder households in three northern Indian states (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh). The result suggests that the fungibility of funds received under the government transfer package was significant in alleviating credit constraints and increasing agricultural investments in agricultural inputs. The farmers who received benefits from the PM-GKY scheme spent significantly more on the procurement of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The disbursement of cash transfers in the three states showed that emergency relief packages had reached the vulnerable sections of Indian society. Overall, 89-94% of households benefited from direct cash transfers. Perhaps lower transaction costs, minimal leakages, and immediate delivery make a strong case for direct cash transfers. The above advantages facilitate the provision of relief to a large proportion of vulnerable sections of Indian society in a short period. • Impact of India's government assistance on the farming inputs. • Use a quasi-experimental method and rural survey data. • We find fungibility of funds received under the government transfer package. • Cash transfers helped farmers buy more seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]