eBook Chapters

1. Introduction

Libraries play a crucial role as community centers that promote education, culture, and individual growth at a time when information is the currency of advancement. Rural libraries, however, confront unique difficulties that set them apart from their urban counterparts. Rural libraries often struggle with limited funding, being geographically isolated, and having difficulty obtaining technology infrastructure. Yet, in order to guarantee that rural libraries can provide the same caliber of service as their counterparts in larger cities, pricing and accessibility become vital factors. And in light of all of that, they continue to be vital community hubs that contribute significantly to education, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning.

Open source solutions hold a lot of promise for addressing these problems.Open source software solutions are more affordable and flexible than proprietary software systems, allowing them to be tailored to the specific needs of any rural library. Among other reasons, the library staff finds it easier to catalog documents when they use these kinds of systems. Because these systems use simpler circulation techniques, they assist them with saving expenses while guaranteeing higher user involvement.

The adoption and use of a new technology causes disruptions in the sociocultural system of a nation and induces a change from established practices to distinctly different and complex forms of social practice. The deployment of ICT into the predominantly traditional societies of developing countries is therefore very disruptive. In view of this, a seamless integration of both the technical and socio-cultural systems of societies where technology transfer takes place is necessary for a thriving ICT deployment. Unfortunately, technological transfer to developing countries is driven by a perspective that is based on the development experience of Western industrialized nations.

It is indeed highly inspiring to see that in India, people are gradually getting aware of the multiple roles of Information Technology in the overall growth of the country. The bureaucrats and policy makers have equally emphasized the significance of exploring and exploiting the benefits of IT. Moreover, the governance has also realized that with availability of vital infrastructure Information and Communication Technologies can be used to improve the lives of the rural and underprivileged section of the Indian society, especially the ones living below the poverty line (BPL). Nonetheless, the Government will have to play the role of a catalyst in this huge integration project. A strategic framework including actors from Central & State Governments and Civil Society Organizations to capture the benefits of ICT and make it reach the countryside can do wonders in this regard.

20.1 Introduction

Physiological adaptations for air-breathing in bony fishes have fascinated researchers for well over a century. The metabolic rate of some fish is so high that dissolved oxygen in water becomes insufficient. Prolonged drought causes some f ish to develop devices to survive in the absence of water for a short period. To overcome these challenges, fishes have developed accessory respiratory organs that can function in both aquatic and aerial environments.

As an adaptation to specific environmental conditions, accessory respiratory organs develop in addition to the gills. The development of these organs is dependent on the availability of extra oxygen. The development of an accessory respiratory organ is most common in tropical freshwater fishes.

This chapter provides a readily available means of reference for helping in life threatening emergencies, accidents and for providing first aid, where any delay caused by the lack of medication or non-availability of the doctor can have serious consequences either in terms of life or in terms of resulting serious sickness.

As soon as possible competent medical help should be availed of in emergencies and accidents. In the meanwhile the homoeopathic medicines suggested hereafter would provide relief, would halt deterioration in most cases and may save life in many instances.

Emergencies can be life threatening. One of these can be severe haemorrhage, where copious bleeding can lead to death. Obstruction of breathing for different reasons is a matter for concern. Serious accidents are life threatening because there may be unmanageable bleeding, shock and pain.

Below, a list of few medicines and other items required for first aid in emergencies has been given. This can be helpful in homes, in factories and offices.

ABSTRACT

Queens of 4 post-emergence colonies of primitively eusocial wasp, Ropalidia marginata were observed for their propensity to acquire and handle foraged material on naturally occurring free foraging nest. The queens were inclined to acquire pulp loads than food loads. 

Book Keeping

What is book keeping?

Book keeping is defined as;

1. The art of recording business transactions (pecuniary transactions) in a regulator and systematic manner.
2. Book keeping is the science and art of correctly recording in books of accounts all those business transactions that result in the transfer of money or money’s worth.
3. Book keeping is an art of recording day to day business transactions in a set of books in a most systematic manner.
4. It is the process of analysing, classifying and recording transaction in accordance with preconceived plan.

Objectives of book keeping

How much have we earned this year?

How much during the past year?

Is our business improving?

Also, how much cash do we have?

How much our customers owe us?

MEANING & DEFINITION OF ACCOUNTING

Accounting is the science of recording, classifying and summarizing business transactions and events primarily of a financial character in a significant manner and interpreting and communicating the results to decision-making persons thereof.

The AICPA defined, Accounting is the process that are used in accounting, recording, classifying, summarizing and interpreting the monetary language in which financial language is expressed.

BOOK KEEPING & GENERAL ENTRY SYSTEM

Business Transactions can be recorded in any system, which provides the necessary financial position of a business and results of transactions. The Business transactions are recorded through systems of book keeping as maintained in accounting are as follows:

Book Keeping: This is an activity concerned with the recording of financial data relating to business operations in a significant and orderly manner. Book keeping is the record making phase of accounting. Accounting is based on a careful and an efficient book keeping system.

The essential idea behind maintaining book keeping records is to show correct position regarding each head of income and expenditure. It is concerned with the recording of business transaction in a significant and orderly manner which is mechanical and repetitive in character. 

Introduction

Accuracy and uncertainty analysis is an important step in preparation of surface map through geostatistical techniques or digital soil mapping approach. It is because that we rely on a map based on how much accurate it is and the degree of uncertainty associated with the estimates while the map was prepared. Any stakeholder for a soil map especially policy makers is interested in accuracy and uncertainty of the map before taking suitable land management decisions involving soil map as an input. Again the level of accuracy and uncertainty depends on the properties for which the map has been developed. If the property of interest is sensitive to environment or human consumption, then the accuracy level should be very high while the uncertainty level should be very low e.g. heavy metal concentration in soil, quality parameters of water etc.

Acetylcholinesterase activity in brain is measured by the method described by Ellman’s et al. (1961).

Reagents

1. Phosphate buffer (0.1M) (pH 8.0) Solution A: 5.22 g of K2 HPO4 and 4.68 g of NaH2 PO4 are dissolved in 150 ml of distilled water. Solution B: 6.2 g of NaOH is dissolved in 150 ml of distilled water. Solution B is added to solution A to get desire pH 8.0 and then finally the volume is made up to 300 ml with distilled water.

2. DTNB reagent 39.6 mg of DTNB with 15 mg of NaHCO3 is dissolved in 10 ml of 0.1 M phosphate buffer.

3. Acetylthiocholine (ATC) 21.67 mg of Acetylthiocholine is dissolved in 1 ml of distilled water.

Procedure

The brain tissue is weighed and 10% homogenate is made in 0.1M Phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). Take 0.4 ml aliquot of homogenate in a cuvette containing 2.6 ml phosphate buffer (0.1M) and 100 µl DTNB. The contents of the cuvette are mixed thoroughly by bubbling air and absorbance is measured at 412 nm in a spectrophotometer. When absorbance reached a stable value, it is recorded as the basal reading .To this 20 µl of acetylthiocholine is added and change in absorbance is recorded for a period of 10 min at intervals of 2 min. Change in the absorbance per minute determined.

“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible.”

- Albert Einstein

Motivation– An inner state of need or desire that activates an individual to do something that will satisfy that need or desire.

The processes that are responsible for an individual’s intensity, direction and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal.

Key Elements

1. Intensity: how hard a person tries
2. Direction: toward the beneficial goal
3. Persistence: how long a person tries

Unique Achievement in Plant Breeding

Rice

TN-1: First dwarf variety of rice developed in world

IR-8: Second dwarf and first high yielding variety of rice developed in world

Jaya: First dwarf variety of rice developed in India

Many researchers successfully prepared synthetic seeds of crop plants. The major success of this technology is being elaborated in this chapter.

8.1. FIELD CROPS

Rice is the world’s most important food crop and a primary food source for more than one third of the world’s population. This crop has received considerable attention in biotechnology research progammes. Research in artificial seeds in rice is not scanty and this technology through somatic embryogenesis would offer a great scope for large-scale propagation of superior elite hybrids (Brar and Khush, 1994). However, success on artificial seeds research in field crops, especially cereals is still in infancy. However, many workers successfully encapsulated somatic and androgenic embryos of cereal crops (Datta and Potrykus, 1989; Suprasanna et al., 1996; Roy and Mandal, 2004 & 2008). Brar et al. (1994) emphasized the need for research on artificial seeds in rice through embryogenesis and outlined its impact on mass propagation of true-breeding hybrids. Somatic embryogenesis can also be used in the regeneration of genetically transformed plants (Vicient and Martinez, 1998). Subsequently those somatic embryos could be economically and successfully propagated though synthetic seed technology.

Introduction

The availability of food depends on the production and distribution while the access to food is determined by an individual’s purchasing power. Thus, the food security in the framework of economic welfare is the situation in which the lowest income strata has a near zero probability of being vulnerable to famine and in terms of calorie it requires a near zero probability of falling below the poverty line (Rentlinger and Selousky, 1978). Therefore, food security concerns every sovereign country, especially the developing and poor nations, owing to its profound implications for their socio-politico-economic stability and which co-exists with international diplomacy. According to 1998 annual report of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), about 73 million people would be added to the world’s population every year between 19952020 increasing it by 32 percent to reach at 7.5 billion. Much of the population growth is expected to occur in the developing countries mainly in India where the population is expected to increase by 36 percent to touch at 1.27 billion by 2020 and is likely to overtake China by 2035. Therefore, meeting the food and nutrition needs of growing and urbanized population with rising incomes will have profound implications for agricultural production and food security of the country and Himachal Pradesh is no exception.

Introduction

The optimum soil pH for plant production is one that is slightly acidic, at this pH soil microorganisms are most active and plant nutrients are readily available. At extremes of high (alkaline) and low (acidic) pH this delicate balance is disturbed and plant nutrients that were in adequate supply can become either deficient or toxic to plant growth. Some essential nutrients such as phosphorous, calcium, magnesium and molybdenum become unavailable if the soil pH becomes too acidic. Acidic conditions will result in a lowering of plant production in farming systems. This will result in reduced profitability and an increased reliance on fertilizers to sustain any form of productive agriculture. Correcting soil pH to a more favorable pH range will increase the availability of essential nutrients.

    1.    Acid soil
    2.    Causes of soil acidity   
    3.    Problem of soil acidity 
    4.    Management or Amelioration of soil acidity 
        a.    Lime requirement (LR): 
        b.    Liming reaction in soils      
        c.    Benefits of liming on acidic soils 
    5.    Calcareous soil  
    6.    Formation, characteristics & management of calcareous soil 

Introduction
In India acid soils occur in the high rainfall areas covering about 25 million hectares of land with a pH below 5.5 and 23 million hectares of land with a pH between 5.6 and 6.5. In India, acid soils occur in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, NEFA, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, MP, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat are the only states in India where acid soils do not occur. Soil acidity is a limiting factor affecting the growth and yield of many crops all over the world. The basic problems concerning chemical properties of more acid soils are, besides acidity itself, the presence of toxic compounds and elements, such as soluble forms of Al, Fe and Mn, nitrites and various toxic organic acids. Aluminium (Al) toxicity is one of the major constraints on crop productivity on acid soils, which occur on up to 40% of the arable lands of the world. Al is the third most abundant element in the earth’s crust and is toxic to plants when solubilised into soil solution at acidic pH values. Very few plants can grow well in strong acid soils. Soil acidity below pH value 5.5 is generally injurious to plants. Plant roots are badly affected if the pH value exceeds limits of tolerance for particular crops. High degree of soil acidity (pH 5.0 to 6.5) decreases the availability of plant nutrients particularly phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, potassium sulphur nitrogen, boron, copper and zinc. It also affects adversely the important microbiological processes, such as nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter, Clostridium and nodule inhabiting bacteria (Rhizobia) of leguminous plants

Jharkhand state lies between 21º58’2" to 25º8’32" North latitude and 83º19’05"to 87º55’03" East longitude covering an area of about 7.97 m.ha. and accounts for  2.4 per cent of  the total geographical area (TGA) of the country. It is bound on the east by West Bengal, on the west by Chhattisgarh, on the north by Bihar and on the south by Odisha. Reliable information on the location, extent and quality of soil and land resources is the first requirement in planning for the sustainable management of land resources. The components of land i.e., soils, climate, water, nutrient and biota are organised into an eco-system, which provides a variety of services that are essential for the maintenance of the life support system and the productive capacity of the environment.

The north eastern hill region covers a large share of acid soils of India occupying 14.95 m ha which is a major constraint for sustainable crop production. Acid soil limits the availability of calcium and phosphorus in soil, lowers base saturation and reduces microbial activities in soil adversely affecting the crop growth and yield. About 95 % of the soils of this region, except Nagaland (about 70 %) are acidic in reaction. About 84, 77, 76, 60, 57 and 47 per cent soils of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura, respectively have soil pH below 5.0 and are considered strongly acidic (Panda, 1998). The soils are highly degraded because of heavy rainfall and removal of top soils. Land slides are also contributing towards land degradation. About 16 % of the area is affected by water erosion (www.india stat.com). About 53.8, 28.2, 42.6, 53.9, 89.2, 60, 33 and 59.9 per cent  area are degraded in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, respectively. Including Assam, north-east constitutes 80 % of the total area under acid soils of the country. The land use pattern of north-east region is presented in table 1 and area, production, yield of foodgrains and fertilizer consumption are presented in Table 2.

The state of Odisha located in the Coromondal coast of India has a tropical monsoon climate characterized by high humidity, high rainfall (1497 mm) and short and medium winter. It is the 10^th largest and 11th most populous state accounting about 5% of the geographical area and 4% of the population of the country. The geographical area of the state is 15.57 m ha, out of which 0.62 m ha is arable land. Agriculture contributes 28% to  state domestic production and employs 64% of the work force.

Introduction
Acid sulphate soils are formed when pyrite within a soil layer is oxidised, generating sulphuric acid. The oxidation of pyrite often results in yellow mottles of jarosite. The pH levels in greatly affected areas are often less than 4.0, and the associated environmental impacts include fish kills, retarded growth of crops and changes in water chemistry. Acid soils are distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, constituting approximately 30% of the ice-free land in the world, which is 50% of the world’s arable land. In China and India, 212 Mha or 12% of the agricultural land is classified as acidic. In India, about 28% of the total geographical area is affected by acidity of different degrees. Acid sulphate soils (ASSs) are a group of these soils having high soil acidity and other soil function limitations. These soils were termed as Kattecleigrondon or Kattakali by the Dutch farmers in the seventeenth century meaning ‘Cat Clays’ in English for soils of some reclaimed areas that became gradually highly acidic and developed prominent yellowish mottles and crusts composed of jarosite and related sulphates; in northern Germany, similar clays were called Maibolt.
Occurrence
They occur in many regions of the world, mostly along coastal areas where the land is inundated by sea water. Countries having extensive area of acid sulphate soils are:

Acids are chemical substances that are sour in taste and highly corrosive. The term ‘Acid’ was derived from a Latin word ‘acidus’, meaning ‘sour’. They emit sharp odour and transform litmus colour from blue to red. They lose their properties when alkalis are added to them. However, in this process, alkalis also lose their alkaline properties.

The acidifiers could be used to favourably manipulate the intestinal microbial populations and improve the immune response, hence perform an activity similar to antibiotics in feed. Acidifiers also improve the digestibility of nutrients and increases the absorption of minerals. The incorporation of organic acids also leads to thinning of the intestinal lining which facilitates better absorption of nutrients and its efficient utilization. However, their effect will not be similar among all types of organic acids as their mechanism of activity is based on its pKa value. At present, coated salts of acidifiers are available commercially for use in feed of poultry.

Pimples are very common in young people during their teen years. This condition, which is also known as acne, is apparently due to certain hormone changes in the body. It is particularly prevalent during early adolescence, from 12 to 16 years of age, and is more likely to occur in those who have an oily skin. In the early stages a blackhead or comedone blocks the outlet of an oil gland within the skin. This is not a serious problem, for it leaves no permanent effect.

If the sebaceous duct ruptures and the oily material ooze out between the layers of the skin instead of coming to the surface, there may be a cyst or swelling known as a sebaceous cyst. These are somewhat disfiguring, but not harmless unless they become infected and form small abscesses. When these heal they may leave ugly scars. Severe acne may occur on the shoulders, the back and chest, as well as the face and neck.

Effects of diet: Acne is not caused by diet, but certain foods definitely aggravate this condition, especially in some patients. Rich foods, such as chocolate, nuts, cola drinks, ice-cream, fatty meats, and excessive amount of sugar, all seem to aggravate this condition. Certain drugs, such as those containing bromides and iodides, may also play a part in some people.

Some girls develop one to two pimples just before menstruation. These only last a day or two and are of no consequence. But when acne continues over months or years, it is very distressing, especially to a young woman, and something should definitely be done to clear up the condition. Nervous tension due to family trouble may also play a part in continuing this difficult problem. Even in its mildest form, acne usually persists for a year or more until the hormone system of the body has become fully adjusted.

The word Aconite is derieved from ACONIS, a city of Bithynia (in Asia Minor). Also ACON means dart because the darts were poisoned with Aconite. Also, from Greek word ACONITUM means without soil, as this plant grows on a stony ground.

History and Authority: Master Hahnemann introduced it in homoeopathy in 1805.

A state of fear, anxiety; anguish of mind and body. Physical and mental restlessness, fright, is the most characteristic manifestation of Aconite. Acute sudden and violent invasion, with fever, call for it.

There is no medicine like Aconite Nap when a complaint is caused by exposure to dry cold weatlier or by fright or both. Aconite should be thought of as the first medicine in inflammation, inflammatory fevers, when an attack is acute, sudden and violent, when there is physical and mental restlessness and if the problem is recent and when all this is on account of exposure to dry cold weather. The parts of the body affected can be larynx, bronchi, pleura joints and even heart.

17.1 Introduction

Mechanical irritability is a general phenomenon exhibited by a cell. Apart from a general response to mechanical deformation, there are specialised receptors distributed internally as well as externally that act as mechanoreceptors. It includes the following:

1. Algesireceptor (Nociceptors): For pain.

2. Georeceptor: A gravity and acceleration receptor.

3. Phonoreceptor: Used for vibratory contact and sensation of hearing and also for equilibrium.

environmental conditions tailored to the specific needs of the crop. Key factors managed include water availability, light intensity, humidity levels, temperature, and soil moisture. While this technique is extensively adopted in developed nations, its use in India remains relatively limited.
In recent years, the climate of India has experienced several disasters such as droughts, floods, and pest attacks.
India’s agricultural landscape has faced numerous challenges in recent times due to frequent natural calamities like droughts, floods, and pest infestations. These conditions have led to substantial crop losses and have pushed many farmers into financial distress. To combat this, the adoption of protected cultivation techniques has become increasingly essential, offering a path to higher productivity and profitability.
Every year, India’s Northeastern state and Coastal regions face extreme crop damage due to high rainfall.
Heavy rainfall causes severe crop destruction annually in the Northeastern and Coastal areas of India. Fortunately, greenhouses now offer a viable solution by acting as protective shelters from rain, enabling farmers in these regions to safeguard their crops effectively.
TYPES OF PROTECTED CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
Though there are several protected cultivation techniques, the most commonly used are:
• Greenhouses
• Shade net houses
• Insect-proof net houses

Materials Required

Equipments and machinery used in Postharvest Technology laboratory for processing, packaging and quality analysis.

Procedure

    1.    Identify the equipments and machinery, note down the typical features about its shape, size, colour etc.

The students in batches will visit the laboratory of Plant Pathology for their acquaintance with different appliances, tools, glassware‘s and other miscellaneous items, which they will use for various exercises and experiments to be conducted. A list of some of them is given below:

Agro processing involves a diverse range of unit operations aimed at converting raw agricultural products into value-added goods. These processes serve to enhance the shelf life, quality, and overall appeal of agricultural commodities while also boosting their nutritional content and market value. The unit operations employed in Agro processing are determined by the specific characteristics of the product and
the desired outcome. Common steps include cleaning, sorting, peeling, grinding, and milling. Preservation methods such as blanching, fermentation, drying, and freezing play a crucial role in preparing products for consumption or further manufacturing.Furthermore, operations like extrusion, canning, juicing, and packaging are essential for producing a variety of processed food items, while proper storage and warehousing ensure the long-term availability and sustainability of these goods. Each unit operation is designed to contribute toward creating high-quality, market-ready products, minimizing waste, and ensuring optimal utilization of raw materials. By combining these processes effectively, Agro processing maximizes the potential of agricultural resources and strengthens the overall food industry.
OVERVIEW OF MATERIAL HANDLING
Materials handling encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, including mechanical harvesting on farms, transportation of live animals, refrigerated transport of perishable goods, and pneumatic conveying of flour from rail cargo to bakery storage facilities. It is important to minimize product losses during these operations while maintaining the quality of raw materials, such as preserving vitamin content and physical appearance, ensuring sanitary conditions, reducing bacterial growth, and optimizing the timing of transfers to avoid delays that could compromise both the economy and product quality.

Agro processing involves a diverse range of unit operations aimed at converting raw agricultural products into value-added goods. These processes serve to enhance the shelf life, quality, and overall appeal of agricultural commodities while also boosting their nutritional content and market value. The unit operations employed in Agro processing are determined by the specific characteristics of the product and the desired outcome. Common steps include cleaning, sorting, peeling, grinding, and milling. Preservation methods such as blanching, fermentation, drying, and freezing play a crucial role in preparing products for consumption or further manufacturing. Furthermore, operations like extrusion, canning, juicing, and packaging are essential for producing a variety of processed food items, while proper storage and warehousing ensure the long-term availability and sustainability of these goods. Each unit operation is designed to contribute toward creating high-quality, market-ready products, minimizing waste, and ensuring optimal utilization of raw materials. By combining these processes effectively, Agro processing maximizes the potential of agricultural resources and strengthens the overall food industry.
OVERVIEW OF MATERIAL HANDLING
Materials handling encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, including mechanical harvesting on farms, transportation of live animals, refrigerated transport of perishable goods, and pneumatic conveying of flour from rail cargo to bakery storage facilities. It is important to minimize product losses during these operations while maintaining the quality of raw materials, such as preserving vitamin content and physical appearance, ensuring sanitary conditions, reducing bacterial growth, and optimizing the timing of transfers to avoid delays that could compromise both the economy and product quality. The journey of agricultural produce from farms to processing areas often results in significant transformations. For instance, grapes are transported via tractors, trucks, or trailers to juice plants or wineries, where they are graded, washed, and processed further. However, there are limitations on the size of transport vehicles and the duration fruits and vegetables can be held. Since these are living, respiring products, prolonged storage can increase batch temperatures to levels that encourage spoilage.

INTRODUCTION
In order to guarantee that the food products produced are safe for consumption, free of contaminants, and prepared in a clean and controlled environment, food safety and hygiene are essential steps in the food production process. Maintaining consumer confidence and preventing foodborne illnesses require following food safety procedures and earning the appropriate certifications.
FOOD SAFETY SYSTEMS AND STANDARDS
HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)
The HACCP method is a methodical approach to food safety that finds, assesses, and manages risks that are important to food safety. This covers biological, chemical, and physical risks.
Principles of HACCP
• Perform an analysis of the hazards.
• Determine the production process’s critical control points (CCPs).
• Determine critical limits, such as food temperature limits.
• Keep a regular eye on CCPs.
• When boundaries are crossed, set up corrective measures.
• Maintain documentation of observations and actions.
• Regularly review and revise the HACCP plan.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) GMP includes all of the procedures and standards that guarantee food products are produced in a controlled and hygienic setting. GMP emphasizes

Inventory management involves tracking the stock levels of products, ensuring that there is neither overstocking nor understocking, and maintaining an optimal supply to meet demand. Proper inventory management minimizes wastage and helps in cost control.
Logistics management focuses on the movement, storage, and distribution of goods. It ensures that products are delivered to the right place at the right time, maintaining quality while optimizing transportation and storage costs. It includes planning for transportation routes, warehousing, and managing the flow of goods. Collateral management, particularly in agriculture and finance, involves managing assets (like stored grains) as collateral for loans or credit. It ensures that these assets are properly valued, secured, and monitored throughout the loan term. Efficient collateral management minimizes risks for lenders while ensuring that borrowers can access necessary financing for agricultural operations or business growth.
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT IN GRAIN STORAGE
In grain storage, “inventory management” refers to the methodical process of tracking and controlling both the quantity and quality of grain stored in facilities such as warehouses or silos. This involves ensuring optimal stock levels by overseeing incoming deliveries, coordinating outgoing shipments, and actively preventing losses due to pests, moisture, and spoilage, while upholding quality standards throughout the storage period.
Inventory management encompasses the ordering, storage, use, and sale of a company’s inventory, which includes managing raw materials, components, and finished goods, as well as their warehousing and processing. Industries like automotive and healthcare depend on efficient inventory management to streamline production and prevent delays. While inventory management was

ABSTRACT

It is very important for every library to have all the resources/materials necessary to fulfil its target. The working of a library can be classified into two forms: dealing with the users and behind the scene. There are numerous different sections in a library divided on the basis of their functions. Most important of these is the Acquisition section. A library’s success lies in a well organized acquisition section. Main aim of the library is the contentment of the users. However, collection development is the primary task of the acquisition section which further contributes to user satisfaction itself. It performs the process of selection, procurement and accessioning of reading materials as well as maintains records. It organizes the monetary as well as human resources in such a manner that collection is facilitated more and that too in an economic and less time consuming way. All this is the responsibility of the librarian. Before acquiring the reading materials, the librarian is supposed to decide that which items are actually required in the library and which are to be rejected. A librarian must study the requirements of the library and acquire materials as per the priorities of the institution to achieve its goal.

Lignieres and Spitz first isolated the bacteria from the cattle with Actinomycosis like condition in Argentina in 1902. They referred them as ‘Actinobacilllus’. These findings were also confirmed by Nocard in 1902. Latter, the isolated bacterium from the cattle was named as Actinobacillus lignieresii, in memory of Lignieres. 

Properties of genus

1.   Morphology :  Actinobacillus are gram negative small rods, measuring 1.5 µm in length and 0.4 µm in width, occurring singly, in pairs or more rarely in chains. After isolation in the laboratory they may show pleomorphism varying from coccobacilli to filamentous forms. In gram stained smear they may show both bacillus and coccus form together, known as ‘morse code’ appearance (dots and dashes appearance, Fig.1). They are non-motile (both at room temperature and 37^oC), non-sporing and non-acid fast. The pili are found in A. pleuropneumoniae.

      Some of them (A. pleuropneumoniae) are capsulated. Whereas, slime layer is found in the surface of other species like A. lignieresii, A. suis, A. equuli.  This slime layer is related with stickiness of the colonies in the agar, enhanced resistance of the colonies to the chemical disinfectants, as well as, resistance of the bacterial cell to the antibiotics and desiccation.

2.         Actinobacillus are aerobic, microaerophilic or facultative anaerobic in nature. They are chemoorganothrophic having both respiratory and fermentative types of metabolism.

Actinobacillus species are non-motile, Gram-negative rods (0.3 to 0.5 x 0.6 to 1.4 μm) which occasionally have a coccobacillary appearance. They are non-motile, non-sporeformingand non-acid-fast. A surface slime is presentin the three major species (A. ligllieresii. A. equuli andA. suis) and may be related to the stickiness of theircolonies on agar. Surface cultures have low viabilityand die in 5-7 days. The actinobacilli ferment carbohydrates, without the production of gas, within 24 hours and most species produce urease and grow on MacConkey agar. Most species are urease and oxidase positive. The
reactions in the oxidase andcatalase tests are variable. The genus is still in a stateof flux, mainly because of the close similaritiesbetween actinobacilli and species in the genera Pasteurella and Haemophilus.
These facultative anaerobes ferment carbohydrates producing acid but not gas. Actinobacilli exhibit some host specificity and are mainly pathogens of farm animals.
Usual Habitat
Actinobacilli are commensals on mucous membranes of animals particularly in the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity. As actinobacilli cannot survive for long in the environment, carrier animals play a major role in transmission.
Colonial Appearance
• A. lignieresii: small, glistening colonies develop in 24 hours. They are usually slightly sticky (viscid) on primary isolation but lose th is characteristic on subculture. The colonies are non-haemolytic and develop to about 2 mm in diameter in 48 hours. The organism grows well on MacConkey agar, the colonies are at first pale but become pinkish as A. lignieresii is a late lactose-fermemer.
• A. equuli: some strains are haemolytic and the colonies are sticky with this feature remaining on subculture. I t is a lactose-fermenter onMacConkey agar.

Cohn (1875) first observed and described a branching filamentous micro-organism in the concretions (coagulated mass) taken from a lacrimal canal, latter identified as Actinomyces israelii. Bollinger first reported the yellow granules in jaw tissues of the cattle in 1877 and established the significance of the organisms as an etiological agent. In 1878, Israel described the first human case. In 1879, Hartz observed the microscopic appearance of granules of Actinomyces infection and suggested the name Actinomyces bovis. Mosselman & Lihnaux (1890) and Wolf &Israel (1891) first isolated the bacteria in artificial laboratory media from lumpy jaw cases of cattle and human Actinomycosis, respectively.

Properties of genus

1.         Morphology :  Actinomyces are gram positive filamentous organisms with branching rods. In artificial media, short bacilli or cocci forms are also observed. During infection, they can produce yellow coloured granules (sulphur granule), commonly found in the pus as ‘opaque speck’ and are visible under naked eye (1-2 mm in diameter). The granules are usually soft and easily broken under light pressure, but they may occasionally be tough or even calcified. They are composed of club shaped bodies, arranged radially with their narrow ends towards the centre. So the organisms are also known as ‘ray fungus’. In the centre of the club, filamentous masses of gram positive organisms with some bacilli or cocci form are found. Together the club like processes and bacterial masses are known as ‘rosette’ (Fig.1). This club is composed of calcium phosphate and inflammatory debris
.

Introduction

Rhizobia and Frankia are soil bacteria that exhibit symbiosis with their particular hosts owing to their ability to understand the intricate signals excreted by the host roots. Rhizobia exhibit symbiosis with legumes and one species member of Ulmaceae family Parasponia andersonii while actinomycetes Frankia forms the group of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that live in symbiosis with a large spectrum of dicot plants distributed among eight families consisting of over 24 genera and around 200 species of angiosperms (Benson and Silvester, 1993) and are collectively responsible for 15% of the biologically fixed nitrogen in the world. This Frankia-woody tree or dicotyledonous plant interaction results in evolution of the actinorhizal plants and the symbiotic interaction is described between Frankia (actino) and plant roots (rhiza).

Introduction

The term actinomycetes, coined in the late 1800s (actins, meaning ‘ray’ and myces, meaning ‘fungus’) is a misnomer. Because actinomycetes have a considerably smaller aerial mycelium than fungi and can produce a large number of asexual spores called conidia, which give the colonies a ‘powdery or chalky’ look.

The actinomycetes constitute a specialized group of soil bacteria that occur in soils throughout the world. The actinomycetes are prokaryotes confirming cellular structures and functions of true bacteria and their morphological similarity to the fungi (Eukaryotes). Between bacteria and fungi, actinomycetes are a transitional category. On their hyphae, most actinomycetes produce single, pairs, or chains of asexual spores.The diameter of the hyphae varies from 0.5 to 1.0 µm. 

The actinomycetes comprise a heterologous group of prokaryotes that have the ability to form gram positive, branching filaments of less than 1μm in d.m. The main animal pathogens in the actinomycetes are in the genera Actinomyces, Arcanobacterium, Actinobaculum, Nocardia and Dermatophilus. Nonpathogenic, prolific producers of antimicrobial substances – streptomyces are also included in Actinomycetes.
Actinomyces
Natural Habitat
The actinomyces species are present on mucous membrane of the host animal, often in the oral cavity, tonsils, and nasopharynx. The soil is the natural habitat of many actinomyces species.
History
The generic name Actinomyces was first used by Harz (1879). Boestrom (1891) isolated Actinomyces bovis. Cummins (1962) clearly demonstrated Actinomyces were bacteria and they are distinct from other branching genera.

Morphology
The organisms show considerable pleomorphism. Actinomyces species are usually long and fialmentousalthough short V, Y, and T configuration also occur. In lesions of actinomycosis, the pus contains small pale yellow granules referred as sulfur granules. The sulphur granule is composed of bacterial filaments and mineralized calcium phosphate of host origin. When the granules are crushed and gram stained, a mass of gram-positive branching filaments about 1μm in width, short rods, and cocci are evident. Around this mass, a circle of club shaped bodies with their narrow ends pointing towards
the centre-staining gram negative. Hence, called ray fungus. They are nonacid fast, non-spore forming, nonmotile, non-capsulated and do not form endospores or conidia.

Every practical problem need not have a documented solution. Most of the times to solve a practical problem, we need to apply our experience, creativity and experiment with the novel solutions in order to address the problem which have no readymade solution. Under such circumstance, we will apply our knowledge and experience in selecting, planning, experimenting and evaluation of the possible solutions. This type of problem solving approach involves action research.  Action research is a type of social research that aims at gaining an insight into the problem by learning from experiences gained in an effort to solve the problem. Here, action itself is a source of knowledge.

8.1. Introduction

Food packaging’s essential functions is to protect the food from hazardous compounds, and contaminant. In order to improve the shelf life of food commodity, smart packaging like active and intelligent packaging has been developed which can monitor freshness, display information of quality, and improve food safety. More precisely, smart packaging was defined by Smart Packaging Journal as “the use of features of high added value that enhance the functionality of a product, notably mechanical, electronic and chemical features that improve safety and efficiency”. The major concerns with traditional packaging are not only shelf life of packaged food, but also the inability of packaging material to convey the important information about quality changes to both customer and manufacturer. 

Abstract

High precision Geodetic Global Positioning System measurements have become important for studying present-day tectonics in active orogenic belts such as the Himalayas. Geodetic Global Positioning System measurements in the Darjiling-Sikkim Himalayas (DSH) during 2000-2004 indicate that the frontal part of the Darjiling Himalaya is locked to the Indian plate and statistically negligible shortening is accumulating there at present. While this observation is in conformity with observations made in Nepal to the west of the DSH, it differs in the fact that about ~ 12 mm/yr of convergence is accommodated in the DSH and the western Bhutan Himalayas as opposed to about ~ 20 mm/yr in Nepal Himalaya. About 16 mm of convergence is accommodated in the Arunachal Himalaya, to the east of DSH, of which about 6 mm is accommodated in the Lesser Arunachal Himalaya. These observations indicate that there is a fair amount of heterogeneity in the way convergence is accommodated along the length of the Himalayan arc and the Himalayan seismic hazard estimations need to account for this. Seismicity patterns in the DSH indicate that active deformation in the area is driven by strike-slip as well as thrust tectonics. Strain accumulation in the DSH during 2000-2004 appears to be dominated by strike-slip tectonics in the region and about ~ 4-5 mm/yr of sinistral strike-slip is observed along a NNE-SSW trending near-vertical fault identified in the area (named as the Gish transverse fault).

Abstract

Northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent is seismically an active region, and is further prone to excessive rainfall and frequent landslides, which cause disruption of the road networks during the monsoonic months every year. The region owns a typical morphotectonic setup where many active thrusts and faults have carved out the landforms and physiography of the major part of the region. The creeping phenomenon of the N-S trending prominent strike-slip fault, namely the Churachandpur - Mao Fault (CMF), is one of the triggering factors for the frequent landslides and low magnitude earthquakes. The life line of Manipur, the national high way NH39, traverses along and in close proximity to this fault in Manipur, and hence the life is paralysed in the area during the monsoonic months. From the GPS campaign mode studies on the western and eastern sides of the CMF, it is observed that there is a change in the crustal velocities from 16 - 22 mm/yr in the east to 33 - 42 mm/yr in the west. Micro-deformations are also observed in the form of displacements respectively with the vertical, N-S and E-W components of–0.111 mm/yr (downward), 0.03 mm/yr (northward) and –0.011 mm/yr (westward). The net displacement is 0.126 mm/yr with an azimuth of N 85° and dipping of 13° towards west. Neotectonic movements along the CMF, as per the GPS measurements, suggest an aseismic nature of the fault with dextral component. Fault plane solutions of the earthquakes show northerly directed principal P-axis indicating the extension (T-axis) along east-west. The resultant creeping of micro-deformation towards the western slopes of the terrain is aligned with the principal T-axis. The creeping triggers the micro seismicity as well as the landslides along the CMF.

When avoidance or tolerance of frost is not possible and frost damage is inevitable, the active methods of frost protection are the way out for the protection of the fruit plantations. The methods which are employed just before or during a frost event for avoiding freeze damage are called Active Frost Protection Methods.