eChapters

1. Introduction
 
Today we are living in the Era of Information. Over last decade, electronic resources have become increasingly substantial components of academic library collection. This is due to the continuous development of Information Technology and its impact on library collection development policies due to changing demand of users for the pin pointed and exhaustive information within a short time. With the growing popularity of e-resources, the traditional libraries are gradually migrating from print documents to e- resources where providing access to information is considered more important than owning it. This is further augmented by the advent of Internet. Which has opened up windows of opportunity to different Information sources.

Early and accurate diagnosis of disease is of prime importance for both the successful treatment of the patient and in limiting the spread of disease in the community. It is in this context that immunodiagnostic methods are now being used extensively since they can be extremely sensitive and highly specific. Among the most successful methods are those utilizing labelled antibodies or antigens. Examples of these are immunofluorescence in which antibodies labelled with fluorescent dyes are utilized and radioimmunoassay in which antigens or antibodies are labeled with isotopes. Both of these procedures have proved to be of great value for particular purposes.

Objective:To transfer DNA on nylon membrane by Southern blotting.

Background information

A Southern blot is a method used in molecular biology to detect a specific DNA sequence in DNA samples. Southern blotting combines transfer of electrophoresis-separated DNA fragments to a filter membrane and subsequent fragment detection by probe hybridization.

The British biologist Edwin Southern (Southern, 1975) discovered this technique the technique is known by his name. Southern blotting technique uses digested genomic DNA with restriction enzymes. Southern blotting technique may be used to identify the gene copies number in a genome. A probe that hybridizes only to a single DNA segment that is uncut with restriction enzyme will produce a single band on a Southern blot, whereas multiple bands will likely be observed when the probe hybridizes to several highly similar sequences (e.g., may be due to sequence duplication).

In the southern blotting technique a short DNA probe is used that matches based on complementary DNA sequence fragment on filter membrane. It proves that the DNA fragment on membrane contain specific sequence for which DNA probe is prepared. When DNA is transferred on the membrane from gel it permits binding of radioactive/Biotin labeled hybridization probe to the restricted DNA. Southern blotting is also important for autoradiography.

Southern blotting is an important molecular biology technique that may be used for homology based cloning, screening a DNA library, screening of cloned DNA fragments and to identify methylated sites in genes.

Poultry meat and eggs have high nutritive value. Egg is used as a standard for measuring the quality of other food proteins. It is a well balanced source of nutrients. Similarly poultry meat is easily digestible, high in protein and low in fat content. It contains all the essential amino acids. Though the poultry meat and egg production have tremendously increased in India during last few decades however due to lack of organized marketing channels poultry producers are not getting reasonable returns. Indian broiler and egg markets are in a disorganized state. In last few decades various efforts have been made so as to organize and co-ordinate marketing channel of poultry meat and eggs. Through these efforts producers are also benefited but only in some particular areas. Therefore, there is need to expand it further covering the country.

What is Marketing?

Marketing may be defined as exchange of a produce for an agreed sum of money. It is a commercial process involved in promoting, selling and distributing a product. In simple words marketing is finding out what customers want and supplying it at a profit. Marketing is a business in terms of customer needs and their satisfaction. As per P. Taylor, marketing is not simply providing products or services; it is essentially about providing changing benefits to the changing needs and demands of the customer.

4.1 Diagrammatic Representation of Data

Diagrams are meant only to give a pictorial representation of the data with a view to make them readily intelligible. Several types of diagrams are used for the presentation of data in biological and agriculture sciences. The following are the important types of diagrams in common use :

1. One-dimensional diagrams
2. Two-dimensional diagrams
3. Three-dimensional diagrams

Extraction is a process whereby the desired constituents of a plant are removed using a solvent. The primary ways for extraction of organic molecules of interest to biologists and medical investigators involve breaking open the cells. Cell rupturing is carried out in a variety of ways. The method used depends on the type of tissue used. For plant cells grown in cell suspension culture or for plant callus tissue, a French press or a sonicator can be used to break open the cell.

Washing dishes is not the most rewarding task. Cooking can be creative, but cleaning up afterward seems like a waste of time and leaves the person washing complaining about “dishpan hands.” The development of the dishwasher has helped relieve some of the monotony, as well as the grease and grime.

Introduction

In the dynamic realm of contemporary work environments, the psychological contract has emerged as a cornerstone concept, influencing the fabric of employee-employer relationships and organizational dynamics. While traditional employment agreements delineate formal terms and conditions, the psychological contract encapsulates the implicit understanding between individuals and their employers regarding mutual expectations, obligations, and entitlements. This symbiotic agreement, rooted in perceptions and beliefs rather than written documentation, shapes the essence of the employment relationship, impacting employee engagement, organizational commitment, and overall workplace satisfaction.

The significance of the psychological contract has become increasingly pronounced in recent years, propelled by a confluence of factors such as rapid technological advancements, demographic shifts, and evolving socio economic trends. In this era of unprecedented change, the nature of work itself has undergone a metamorphosis, with traditional notions of employment giving way to flexible arrangements, remote work options, and gig economy platforms. Consequently, the traditional employer-employee dynamic has evolved, necessitating a deeper understanding of the implicit expectations and reciprocal obligations that underpin modern work relationships.

Diversity of gut microbial community

The human microbiota (the collection of microbes that live on and inside us) consists of about 100 trillion microbial cells that outnumber our ‘‘human’’ cells 10 to 1, and that provide a wide range of metabolic functions that we lack. It has been estimated that they encode 100-fold more unique genes than our own genome. Furthermore, the gut microbes contribute to energy harvest from food, and changes of gut microbiome may be associated with bowel diseases or obesity. To understand and exploit the impact of the gut microbes on human health and well-being it is necessary to decipher the content, diversity and functioning of the microbial gut community. If we consider ourselves as superior organisms encompassing these microbial symbionts, by far the majority of genes in the system are microbial. In this sense, completing the human genome also requires the characterization of the microbiome (the collection of genes in the microbiota).

Methods of counting viable and non-viable bacteria in gut

Before the advent of genome sequencing and genome-wide analysis method, our knowledge of molecular characteristics of diverse gut microbial population was extremely limited. To obtain an estimate of cultivability, microbial ecologists generally compare microscopic counts with total viable counts. The total viable count made on a nonselective agar based medium estimates the number of colony forming units (cfu) per gram of sample. The finding that total viable counts are typically lower than total microscopic counts was thought to be due to the number of dead cells. Indeed, dead bacteria in feces may constitute up to one third of the total bacterial community. However, recent nucleic acid based studies indicated that a majority of bacteria in a variety of ecosystems are different from those described in culture.

Abstract
The global population is projected to reach 9 billion by 2050, with rural youth (aged 15–34) in developing countries of Africa and Asia facing significant challenges like unemployment, poverty, and limited access to resources such as land, credit, and education. Despite agriculture's potential to provide livelihoods and contribute to 32% of global employment, rural youth are increasingly disengaged, perceiving farming as unattractive due to its image of drudgery and lack of profitability. Agri-preneurship, blending agriculture with entrepreneurial skills, offers a solution by fostering innovative, profitable farm businesses. Initiatives like India’s ARYA program and private efforts such as the Green Shoots Foundation promote skill development, encouraging youth to pursue agriculture through training, microfinance, and market linkages. Empowering rural youth with entrepreneurial competencies can enhance food security, reduce rural outmigration, and support sustainable development.
Keywords: Agri-preneurship, Rural Youth, Agriculture, Skill Development, Food Security, Sustainable Development, Rural Outmigration, Entrepreneurial Competencies, Employment, Market Linkagesk

I. Crop-Based Livelihood Models
• Description: Focuses primarily on cultivating and selling crops.
• Production Analysis:
º Crop Selection
• Identify the specific crops grown (e.g., rice, wheat, maize, vegetables, fruits).
• Analyse the rationale behind crop selection (market demand, suitability to local climate and soil, tradition, etc.).
• Assess the use of crop rotation, intercropping, and cover cropping practices.
º Agronomic Practices
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of tillage, planting, irrigation, fertilization, and pest/disease management practices.
• Determine the level of mechanization used in crop production.
• Investigate the use of integrated pest management (IPM) and sustainable agricultural practices.
º Yield
• Measure crop yield (e.g., tons per hectare, bushels per acre).
• Compare yields to regional and national averages.
• Identify factors that limit yield (e.g., water stress, nutrient deficiencies, and pest /disease outbreaks).

Introduction

Fast and efficient dissemination of suitable technological information from the Agricultural Research System to the Farmers in the field and reporting of farmers’ feedback to the research system is one of the critical inputs in Transfer of Technology. Today India is at the verge of technology revolution with immense number of agriculture, home science and livestock technologies developed by the research institutes to enhance the agriculture and livestock production. These technologies have changed the total production of agricultural commodities in the country.

1. Introduction

Electronic journals are an important source for scientific technical research and development. This resource is widely used by research and development workers and other users of the libraries to carry out qualitative research, education and gain knowledge. In recent years there has been a surge in the number of electronic journals available to libraries for their users to access. More titles are made available by publishers and subscription agents. There is a common view amongst Liberians that libraries are forsaking traditional print resources in favor of electronic resources. With the application of information technology, particularly internet, there has been a shift from traditional print journal to electronic journals. This type of use survey is essential to improve the existing library services, to plan new services, rationalize the use of the limited financial resources in an economic way, evaluate the performance of the library and enhance the user satisfaction.

Abstract

Climate change is today’s major concern throughout the world. All sectors have been influenced with the impact of climate change. Similarly, agriculture sector has also been affected with the worse climatic changes. All components of agricultural production system like water, soil, vegetation, organism and microorganism etc. affected greatly due to climatic abruptions. And thus, the productivity is hampering day by day. Today, we requires to predict the trend of changes in climatic parameters like maximum and minimum temperature, humidity, wind speed, sunshine hours etc, to project future change in these climatic parameters, to assess the effect of theses climatic parameters on agricultural components like water resources, soil, vegetation, organism and microorganism and, also to find the adaptation and mitigation strategies.  All these works have beenmainly done by manual methods earlier. Developed country like USA, Japan, UK etc adopted the computer modelling to climate change research. Computer modelling and software assistance have been adopted slowly in developed countries. Since, climatic changes requires processing of very large number of data, they needs computer and software assistance. Without computer assistance climate change research seems to be impossible.

Insect infestation occurs in stored grains and grain products to variable extent depending upon the storage conditions in developing countries. The losses of nutritional compounds are proportional to the extent of insect infestation, nature of insect feeding and distribution of nutritional chemicals in different seed components.

1. Sources of Insect Infestation

There are many sources that leads to infestation in storage, viz., left over seed from bins or stores or spilled seeds under the stacks, cleanings, sweepings of storage structure, processing plants, old infested stores, old gunny bags, insect infested transport vehicles, storing insect infested seeds with fresh stock or vice-versa, entry of insects from neighbouring stores and carry over of field infestation

Packaging is essential for the safe and easy marketing of any food products and for the retention of their natural characteristics till consumed or utilized otherwise. Packaging is also an essential part of processing and distribution of foods. Packaging used for processed foods can contribute marketing to the retention of the quality characteristics. It must protect a variety of assaults including physical damage, chemical attack and contamination from biological vectors including microorganisms, insects and rodents. Environmental factors such as oxygen and water vapour will spoil foods if they are allowed to enter packages freely. Contamination of foods by microorganism can spoil foods or cause life-threatening diseases. With dehydrated food, packaging serves a multi protection role. Depending on the product being packed, packaging has to provide protection against moisture pick up, loss of volatile components, oxidation and damage of product itself. With the development of food industries, use of different types of plastic containers becomes widely popular owing to its several advantages.

Although packaging has, in recent years, been accused of using up valuable resources, it is nevertheless absolutely essential. Packaging is vital to protect and conserve the items contained within it. The dominant purpose of packaging is to protect the product so that it reaches the consumer in the same condition as when it was first made. However there is a lot more to the effectiveness and usefulness of packaging than just protection. When a consumer picks up their carton of freshly squeezed mango juice, they are not aware of the energy and money saved by the packaging they are grasping in their hands. In order to fully understand the essential role packaging plays in every day life, it is necessary to understand the guiding principles behind it.

Introduction

The wide range of agro-climatic and agro-ecological situations that prevail in the country supports cultivation of a variety of horticultural crops. The horticultural sector in the country is experiencing a phenomenal growth as far as increase in area, production and productivity are concerned. However, there is a lot of opportunities for enhancing productivity, post- harvest processing, value addition, hi-tech horticulture and precision farming etc. Hence, it will be enterprising to develop this sector, especially among the marginal and small farmers, so that that it will help them doubling their income from farm sector. 

Within a social system, some innovations diffuse rapidly from initial introduction to widespread use in just a few years. For instance, pocket calculators saw rapid adoption during the mid-1970s. In contrast, other electronic innovations, such as home videotape equipment, have only achieved about 3 percent adoption over the past eight years. What are the characteristics of innovations that influence the rate at which they diffuse and are adopted?

Within a social system, some innovations diffuse rapidly from initial introduction to widespread use in just a few years. For instance, pocket calculators saw rapid adoption during the mid-1970s. In contrast, other electronic innovations, such as home videotape equipment, have only achieved about 3 percent adoption over the past eight years. What are the characteristics of innovations that influence the rate at which they diffuse and are adopted?