Cost and Return in Black Gram Cultivation among Members of Farmer Producer Organization in Tamil Nadu, India

Farmer producer companies normally carry out the activities such as production, harvesting, processing, procurement, grading, handling, marketing, selling, export of primary produce of the members or import of goods or services for their benefit. The present study was conducted in Theni District of Tamil Nadu. Primary as well as secondary data on black gram were collected for this present study. Simple statistical analysis such as arithmetic mean and percentage analysis and Compound growth rate analysis was worked out. Among operational costs, the cost of human labour accounted the highest share (36.03 per cent) in Black gram cultivation. Total cost of cultivation of black gram among the sample farmers of FPO in the study area was Rs. 46477.26/ha. The net return realised from Black gram cultivation was Rs. 21722.74/ha.

Impact of Vaccination and Testing Levels on the Dynamics of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its Cessation

A simple statistical analysis of the accumulated and daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita was performed with the use of recent datasets for European and some other countries and regions in order to find correlations with the testing and vaccination levels. It was shown that vaccination can significantly reduce the likelihood of deaths. However, existing vaccines do not prevent new infections. It looks that vaccinated individuals can spread the infection as intensely as unvaccinated ones and it is too early to lift quarantine restrictions in Europe and most other countries. The constant appearance of new cases due to re-infection increases the likelihood of new coronavirus strains, including very dangerous. As existing vaccines are not able to prevent this, it remains to increase the number of tests per registered case. If the critical value of the tests per case ratio (around 520) is exceeded, one can hope to stop the occurrence of new cases.

Poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus, in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

There is an established link between deforestation and negative hydrological effects which may affect watersheds. The number of the cycads Encephalartos transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in South Africa is drastically reducing, and they are nearly extinct. Additionally, poaching and reduction in the population of cycads in reserves may impact negatively on watersheds in protected and buffer areas since the regeneration of this plant occurs over a long period. This research aimed to study the distributions of poached cycads, evaluate the factors responsible for poaching activity and suggest possible solutions towards conservation of E. transvenosus Stapf & Burtt Davy in some of the nature reserves in Limpopo province. Field observation was used to ascertain and collect locations of poached cycads. Data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire. Questionnaires were administered to rangers for the collection of data on causes of poaching, parts poached, measures taken and challenges of rangers in the nature reserves. Processing of the collected data was done by simple statistical analysis. The total population of rangers available in the reserves was used for the determination of the sample size of rangers by Slovin’s formula. Unemployment (46%) is the leading cause for poaching in Mphaphuli Nature Reserve, while trade is a leading factor in Modjadji and Lekgalameetse (37% and 60%) respectively. Debarked cycads amount to 14 (54%) while 12 of the total (26 poached cycads) were completely removed (46%). The most effective way of stopping the poaching of cycads as perceived by the rangers is by patrolling the nature reserves. The observed poaching of Encephalartos transvenosus is alarming since this plant has a low population size which is currently confined to the Limpopo Province in South Africa only. If poaching continues in the nature reserves, all cycads have the tendency of being removed. Therefore, there is a need to continually develop strategies for the conservation of cycads. The peculiar nature and challenges of each reserve have been established and unique solutions for these nature reserves in Limpopo Province have been proposed. Better conservation of cycad species can positively impact the hydrological process of the concerned area and better help the watersheds.

Whatever is Seen is Sold: Merchandise Mantra

Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the effect of the future display to know the changing scenario of the promotion tactics used for sales especially the display matrix and its importance. Design/methodology/approach: A complete of fifty retail stores were personally surveyed with a structured questionnaire. These retailers are spread across the well-developed Mall road area of Bathinda city. Simple statistical analysis like descriptive statistical analysis evaluates the effectiveness of future displays and understands consumers’ level of satisfaction was administered. Findings: The preferences of the consumers indicate their priority for future display. The consumers’ preference of marketplace largely depends on the convenience in purchasing at the marketplace alongside the supply of attractive display, basic amenities, and affordability. Results suggest that the proper investment in retail merchandise with proper planning will help in selling more products with higher margins. It had been found that a lot of times consumers make their purchase on basis of the attractive display of products without an entire search and analysis about the merchandise. Hence, buyers are often attracted to a far better presentation and may pay more prices for it. Research Limitations/Implications: This paper analyses the extent of satisfaction of the consumers under survey concerning future display. The retailers are in a relatively advantageous position in terms of awareness of the effectiveness of future displays. Practical implications: The results may help the retail outlet owners to know the role of future display in an increment of store sales volume so that they will make better decisions within the emerging merchandise techniques as per the predictive retail environment. Originality/value: The subject is comparatively less researched in emerging markets especially where organized retail remains in its early stages.

Effects of testing and vaccination levels on the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prospects for its termination

ABSTRACTA simple statistical analysis of the accumulated and daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases and deaths per capita was performed with the use of recent datasets for European and some other countries and regions. It was shown that vaccination can significantly reduce the likelihood of deaths. However, existing vaccines do not prevent new infections, and vaccinated individuals can spread the infection as intensely as unvaccinated ones. Therefore, it is too early to lift quarantine restrictions in Europe and most other countries. The constant appearance of new cases due to re-infection increases the likelihood of new coronavirus strains, including very dangerous. As existing vaccines are not able to prevent this, it remains to increase the number of tests per registered case. If the critical value of 520 is exceeded, one can hope to stop the occurrence of new cases.

Substantiality: A Construct Indicating Research Excellence to Measure University Research Performance

Purpose The adequacy of research performance of universities or research institutes have often been evaluated and understood in two axes: “quantity” (i.e. size or volume) and “quality” (i.e. what we define here as a measure of excellence that is considered theoretically independent of size or volume, such as clarity in diamond grading). The purpose of this article is, however, to introduce a third construct named “substantiality” (“ATSUMI” in Japanese) of research performance and to demonstrate its importance in evaluating/understanding research universities. Design/methodology/approach We take a two-step approach to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed construct by showing that (1) some characteristics of research universities are not well captured by the conventional constructs (“quantity” and “quality”)-based indicators, and (2) the “substantiality” indicators can capture them. Furthermore, by suggesting that “substantiality” indicators appear linked to the reputation that appeared in university reputation rankings by simple statistical analysis, we reveal additional benefits of the construct. Findings We propose a new construct named “substantiality” for measuring research performance. We show that indicators based on “substantiality” can capture important characteristics of research institutes. “Substantiality” indicators demonstrate their “predictive powers” on research reputation. Research limitations The concept of “substantiality” originated from IGO game; therefore the ease/difficulty of accepting the concept is culturally dependent. In other words, while it is easily accepted by people from Japan and other East Asian countries and regions, it might be difficult for researchers from other cultural regions to accept it. Practical implications There is no simple solution to the challenge of evaluating research universities’ research performance. It is vital to combine different types of indicators to understand the excellence of research institutes. Substantiality indicators could be part of such a combination of indicators. Originality/value The authors propose a new construct named substantiality for measuring research performance. They show that indicators based on this construct can capture the important characteristics of research institutes.

Internet Connection and Learning Device Availability of College Students: Basis for Institutionalizing Flexible Learning in the New Normal

Due to the effect of the current pandemic that the world is experiencing, the educational system swiftly remedied the problem of student learning. This study assessed the students' internet connection capability and the availability of learning devices at their homes. The researchers used a descriptive cross-sectional research design with the online survey as the primary tool for data gathering. Using a convenience sampling technique, this study garnered 2,894 responses from students at a local higher education institution in Central Luzon, Philippines. The study used a modified questionnaire and subjected the gathered data to simple statistical analysis. Based on the results of the survey, 70% of the students have internet access at home. On the other hand, smartphone tops the list of the learning devices that is available for learning for students. To conclude, the institution can therefore implement a flexible learning plan for the students especially this time of the pandemic period. In addition, the researchers also suggested some important recommendations in the learning system of the institution.

The Evaluation of Mode Shift Preference within Bus Rapid Transit-oriented Development Context

Bus rapid transit (BRT) has been acknowledged as a mode of transit that is appropriate to be constructed in conjunction with transit-oriented development (TOD). In order to evaluate the occurrence of a TOD with BRT systems as its component, evaluating the passengers’ mode shift triggered by the provision of the BRT systems is one approach that can be taken. Within the mentioned type of TOD, the built environment should support, or even more trigger, the passengers’ mode shift into taking the BRT systems. This article evaluates the mode shift preference of Transjakarta BRT passengers. This article also evaluates the heterogeneity of mode shift preference among various groups of Transjakarta passengers. This article qualitatively describes the mode shift preference, while the data was collected, processed, and presented in quantitative manners. Information regarding the mode shift preference is collected through an indirect interview. The statistics of the mode shift preference is processed using simple statistical analysis and Bartlett’s test for variance heterogeneity. It is found that the role of the built environment in supporting Transjakarta passengers’ mode shift into taking Transjakarta is relatively low. It is also found that the variance of the mode shift preference is homogeneous across various groups of Transjakarta passengers. This article concludes that the envisioned bus rapid transit-oriented development (BRTOD) hasn't been fully occurring in areas around Transjakarta corridors.

Education as a Value in the Pregraduate Studies of Education in Ukraine

The paper focuses on the description of the value of education in pregraduate preparation of students of teaching disciplines in Ukraine. The aim of the text is to specify the course of preparation for the profession of teacher in the context of values from the perspective of students of selected pedagogical faculties in Ukraine. The issue of values in the pregraduate preparation of Ukrainian students of teaching is a partial part of the authors' long-term interest in the issue of education and the values of Ukrainian pupils in schools in the Czech Republic. The research is carried out using a mixed QVAN - qval design. A Likert-type scale questionnaire supplemented with semi-closed and open items was chosen as the research tool. The data are analyzed with the predominance of a simple statistical analysis with additional analysis using grounded theory.