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For over two decades now, the application of Citizen Science to Education has been evolving, and fundamental topics, such as the drivers of motivation to participate in Citizen Science projects, are still under discussion. Some recent developments, though, like the use of Artificial Intelligence to support data collection and validation, seem to point to a clear-cut divergence from the mainstream research path. The objective of this paper is to summarise the development trajectory of research on Citizen Science in Education so far, and then shed light on its future development, to help researchers direct their efforts towards the most promising open questions in this field. We achieved these objectives by using the lens of the Affordance-Actualisation theory and the Main Path Analysis method.

The influence of emotionality and conscientiousness, the personality traits, on academic performance were examined on students of higher education using the perspectives of conservation of resources theory and social cognitive theory. Skinner's coping model was utilized to understand coping mechanisms in the context of engineering education. Ability groups were formed by differentiating the students on academic performance. The mediation effects of demands intervening between exogenous personal resources, institutional teaching support and coping were tested for significance using structural path models. Results suggest significant challenges exist in enabling adaptive coping processes across ability groups. The absence of hypothesized conscientiousness trait reveals lack of task engagement coupled with the presence of high levels of anxiety across ability groups. Differentiating the demands placed on students on the basis of ability grouping might reduce distress and promote adaptive coping behaviours. The insights of the study are key to future institutional interventions and research possibilities.

This article examines the effect of location on the development of new universities. The study was conducted in seven new higher education institutions (HEIs) established in India during 1996-2008. I collected the data by conducting semi-structured interviews with 73 faculty members in the HEIs and from official documents, media reports and opinion pieces about the HEIs. Using the conceptual framework of path dependency, I investigated the tensions and challenges faced by the HEIs in their initial years. I find the placement of the HEIs in their respective locations to be a contingent event that can make the development of HEIs path dependent. I find that the initial conditions and decisions of the HEIs were influenced by the location and led to reactive sequential events in their initial years with effects that were hard to shake off, making their development path dependent. I show that having to develop their infrastructure and constrained by resources, the HEIs started their academic programmes first, followed by their research activities, and outreach and regional engagement.

Purpose: Plagiarism is an epidemic for scholars that needs to be managed. Penalties do not seem to be able to stop people from indulging in it. Manipulation of emotions and values may help in discouraging people from plagiarism. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to understand the association between felt emotion and plagiarism outcome behaviours. Another objective of the study is to see the role of virtues in discouraging people from plagiarism. Design/methodology/approach: A scenario-based quasi-experimental method is used to collect the data. Graduate students from various Indian universities were invited for the experiment. The partial least square based structural equation modelling is used to test the measurement as well as path model. Findings: The authors found that manipulated shame resulted in feelings of both international and external shame. When individuals feel internal shame, they avoid and discontinue plagiarism. They also try to repair the damage that they cause by plagiarism. However, feeling of external shame only encourages individuals to discontinue plagiarism behaviour. Virtues such as influence, competitiveness and equality weaken the relationship between internal shame and plagiarism-related outcome behaviour. At the same time, these virtues do not affect the relationship between external shame and outcome behaviours. Practical implications: This study has important implications for the institutions of higher education. The study suggests that universities should provoke the emotion of shame through various communications to students to control the act of plagiarism by their students. Originality/value: No study seems to have examined if the manipulation of emotions and values can help reduce the problem of plagiarism. This is an attempt towards bridging this important gap in literature. Therefore, findings of this study are of great value to scholars and content developers.

The simple view of reading hypothesises that reading comprehension is predicted by decoding and language abilities. In this study, 257 fifth-grade English-language learners (Ells) in south-central India were assessed on reading and language measures. Using a model of the simple view, we fit the data using path analysis to determine the extent to which it predicts reading comprehension. Results show that the effect of listening vocabulary on reading comprehension is mediated by listening comprehension, while the effect of word reading fluency on reading comprehension is mediated by passage reading fluency. The final path model explains 33.8% of the variance in reading comprehension. Results are discussed in relation to previous studies.

Contemporary research adopts an evolutionary theoretical perspective in which bullying is strategic behavior that is conducive to peer-group status enhancement. Within this view, a high social status (i.e., popularity) has been associated with bullying others, while a high affiliative status (i.e., preference) has been associated with defending others. This study investigated whether the associations between adolescents' bullying role behavior (i.e., bully, follower, defender, outsider, and victim) and their peer-group status (i.e., popularity and preference) are cross-culturally similar. A multigroup path modeling analysis on a sample of Dutch (n = 219; 53.4% boys; M[subscript age] = 13.8 years, SD = 9 months) and Indian (n = 480; 60.8% boys; M[subscript age] = 13.8 years, SD = 12 months) adolescents suggested that these associations were indeed largely cross-culturally similar and consistent with previous findings, with one exception. While defending was associated with a relatively average popularity status position for Dutch adolescents, it was associated with a high popularity status position for Indian adolescents. In general, the findings are supportive of the evolutionary theoretical perspective, but the differential association between defending and popularity for Dutch and Indian adolescents seems to also require a cultural perspective.

The present study was aimed to explore the relationships between orgainsational or school variables, students' personal background variables, and cognitive and motivational variables. The sample for the survey included 373 students drawn from nine Government schools in Andhra Pradesh, India. Students' creative thinking abilities were measured by the verbal and non-verbal Tests of Creative Thinking developed by Baqer Mehdi. The researcher developed the tools for this purpose and data was collected by means of questionnaires for students, a scale for assessing teachers' encouragement of pupils in the classroom, and a checklist for headteachers regarding out-of-school activities. To analyse the data, quantitative techniques such as Multiple Regression Analysis and the Path Analysis were used to study the direct and indirect effects of variables on the dependent variable creativity. The analysis showed a model, where out-of-school activities, mother's education, teacher encouragement and mother's income had causal relationships with students' creative thinking.

The present study investigated the antecedents and consequences of children's math anxiety and math attitude. A total of 595 students aged 10 to 15 years (5th to 10th grades) and 1 parent of each (mother or father) participated in the study. The study was conducted in India, with the study sample drawn from schools in South-West Punjab. Math anxiety of parents and their children was measured using the Mathematics Anxiety Scale Short Version (MARS-SV), the Mathematics Anxiety Scale for Elementary School Students (MARS-E), and the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents (MARS-A). Math attitude was assessed with the Attitude Towards Mathematics Inventory (ATMI). A math achievement test was constructed for each grade level based on their curriculum. Path analyses were conducted to test the suggested conceptual model, and the results indicate that parental math anxiety and math attitude act as precursors to their children's math anxiety and math attitude and further influence the math achievement of their children.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of teacher job satisfaction and school climate in mediating the relative effects of principals' instructional and transformational leadership practices on student outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: Guided by strong evidence from theories on school leadership and work psychology, the authors hypothesized relations among dimensions of principals' instructional and transformational leadership behaviors, teachers' perception of the school climate (social and affective, and physical environment), their job satisfaction and student achievement. The benefits of the principal's leadership behaviors for student achievement are primarily hypothesized as indirect, with either a weak or statistically non-significant direct positive effect on student outcomes. Path modeling was applied to validate a mediated-effects model using cross-sectional survey data (306 principals, 1,539 teachers) obtained from 306 secondary schools in the two Indian metropolitan cities of New Delhi and Kolkata. Findings: Principal leadership behaviors were not associated directly with either teacher job satisfaction or school-aggregated student achievement. Rather, the transformational leader behavior showed an indirect effect, through the social and affective component of the school climate, on teacher job satisfaction. The physical climate, however, appeared to play a dominating role in mediating the instructional leadership effects on teacher job satisfaction. Comparing the relative indirect effect sizes of the instructional and transformational leadership behaviors on student achievement, principals appear to favor the former approach. Originality/value: This study provides further empirical evidence that instructional leadership better captures the impact of school leadership on student outcomes, when compared to its transformational counterpart. By identifying the relative effects of different leadership practices, school leaders and educational practitioners can focus more on altering the distribution and frequency of those practices that work best for ameliorating student achievement levels.

Purpose: Educational institutes must embrace the principles of total quality management (TQM) if they seek to remain competitive, and survive and succeed in the long run. An educational institution must embrace the principles of quality management and incorporate them into all of their activities. Starting with a theoretical background, the paper outlines the results of a study conducted on both internal and external customers of the educational system, with select engineering and management institutes as foci of study. The study is an attempt toward developing an integrated customer-centric model of quality management in education, through the use of multiple methodologies so as to be able to evaluate service quality; prioritize improvement of service; and guide and develop educational services by incorporating the voice of the customer (VOC). The purpose of this paper is to establish the prioritization for improvement of service design of an educational system through incorporation of the VOC, be it internal or external customers, through the use of multiple methodologies, leading to generalization of results. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses multiple methodologies with various techniques for analysis through the application of the SERVQUAL; quality function deployment (QFD); interpretive structural modeling (ISM); and path analysis. The SERVQUAL was applied to identify the gap and determine the level of service quality. Following this, QFD, ISM and path analysis were used to identify the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that would meet the requirements the various internal and external customers of the educational system. The QFD was used to identify the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that meet the requirements of the various internal and external customers of the educational system. The ISM and path analysis were used to identify and prioritize the design characteristics/quality components that would meet the requirements the various internal and external customers of the educational system. Findings: The findings from the various techniques were amalgamated, and proposed as an integrated model of TQM in higher education. The study helped identify with a customer perspective, the quality components which would help design TQM for higher education institutions in India. Research limitations/implications: The paper could be useful to government bodies, funding agencies, policy makers and administrators in developing a system that could lead to satisfaction of both internal and external customers of the educational system. Originality/value: The study includes within its scope the varied customers of the educational system, namely, internal and external customers of the educational system; the internal customers being the faculty and the administrative staff, and the external customers being the students and the industry (as the employer). This is yet to be seen in other research studies. Also, the integration of the multiple tools and their application to the field of higher education in India, has not yet been made available in the literature.

This paper presents a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach for blended synchronous teacher training workshop. It examines the relationship among various factors that influence the Satisfaction (SAT) of participating teachers. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire from about 500 engineering college teachers. These teachers had attended a blended synchronous distance mode workshop, conducted by IIT Bombay, on "Computational fluid dynamics" in June 2012. The research model was tested using the SEM approach and was found to have a good fit. Ten hypotheses were tested using path analysis. The variable that had the largest effect on Satisfaction (SAT) was Technology effectiveness (TE). The variables that had medium effect on Satisfaction (SAT) were Behaviour intention to use (BIU), Perceived usefulness (PU), Instructor effectiveness (IE), and Extrinsic motivation (EM). The result on the role of TE in blended synchronous teacher training supports the existing body of literature. Moreover, we found that IE was fully mediated through PU and BIU and thereby implying that TE has a significant role if supported by IE, PU and BIU. Finally, we discuss the implications of our study and make suggestions for further improvement of blended synchronous mode teacher training model.

National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) is a flagship project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to mitigate climate change in vulnerable districts of India. The present study assessed farmers’ satisfaction with climate-resilient agricultural technologies following their adoption in two vulnerable districts of Telangana, India, identified under the NICRA project. Results showed that most farmers in the Suryapet and Khammam (62.67% and 90.00%) districts of Telangana state expressed high satisfaction with these technologies. Additionally, a significant proportion had a highly favourable perception of the technology promoters (71.33% and 82.00%), high perceived expectations (52.67% and 74.00%), high perceived quality (58.00% and 86.00%), and a high perceived value (68.00% and 84.00%) associated with climateresilient agricultural technologies. Importantly, the vast majority of the farmers in both districts expressed their intent to use these technologies when the need arises. Path analysis revealed that variables like perceived image, perceived expectation, perceived quality and perceived value had a significant direct impact on satisfaction, while there was no indirect effect on behavioural intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the utility of genotypes in the breeding program in mid-hill environments of the north-western Himalayas of India, apple cultivars were studied during 2019 and 2020 to discover inter-relationships of variables as well as to study genetic variation across yield attribution traits. For fruit set, fruit drop and fruit volume, high heritability and moderate genetic gain was observed. Substantial correlation between fruit yield per plant and pruning weight, tree volume, tree spread and TSS was observed. However, the increments in tree height and trunk girth were strongly and adversely linked with fruit yield per plant. Thus the traits tree spread, tree volume and flowering length may be used as selection indicators for increased production with high-quality apple cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chickpea is a second most important pulse crop grown in 56 countries and India rank first in production which shares 61.4% of the total world chickpea production however, productivity is very low as compared to other countries. Therefore, varietal development with inherent tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress is the prime objective to improve component productivity traits to get better yield in rainfed agro-climatic conditions. Methods: Ninety germplasm accessions of chickpea along with four check viz., JG 14, JG 16, JAKI 9218 and Radhey were evaluated in augmented block design at experimental research farm of Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. Phenotypic data were subjected to study the genetic parameters and association analysis of yield and its component traits using SPAR 2.0 Package and Windostat Version 9.2. Result: The significant variation was observed for all the traits except number of secondary branches, number of pod per plant, number of seeds per pod among the genotypes. The maximum GCV and PCV was observed for height of first pod (35.28 and 39.29), followed by seed yield per plant (29.77 and 40.32) and number of primary branches (25.63 and 31.44). The high magnitude of heritability with genetic advance was estimated for seed index (96.61%), while the high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for first pod height (65.27%). The positive and significant association of seed yield with number of pods per plant, seed index, number of seeds per pod, number of secondary branches, number of primary branches and height of first pod indicating the importance of these traits in selection criteria. Path analysis identified that number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plants, seed index and number of secondary branches per plant as highly desirable component for direct effect on seed yield per plant. The genotypes ICVT-181106 had highest selection indices for seed yield followed by ICVT-181107, PUSA-1053, JG-218, GNG-1999, ICVT-181102 and HC-5. Therefore, high GCV and PCV, significant positive direct and indirect correlation and high estimate of selection indices for grain yield can be directly and indirectly used for chickpea breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "Correlation and Path Analysis in Indian Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea (L.)) Germplasm" explores the correlation and path analysis among grain yield and its attributing characters in Indian barnyard millet. The study found that grain yield per plant had positive significant correlations with traits such as basal tillers, 1000 seed weight, panicle weight per plant, and peduncle length at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. These traits are predominantly controlled by additive gene action, suggesting that selection for these traits can lead to improved grain yield. The article provides valuable insights for researchers interested in improving the grain yield of barnyard millet. The given text appears to be a table showing the phenotypic and genotypic path coefficients for various traits in barnyard millet germplasm accession. The table includes coefficients for traits such as days to 50% flowering, basal tillers, days to maturity, peduncle length, flag leaf blade length, flag leaf blade width, plant height, panicle length, 1000 seed weight, panicle weight, harvest index, lower raceme length, grain yield per plant, phosphorus content, calcium content, iron content, zinc content, and protein percentage. The coefficients indicate the strength and direction of the relationship between these traits. This document presents a correlation matrix and path analysis for various traits studied in barnyard millet germplasm. The matrix shows [Extracted from the article]

Background: Little millet is an important crop grown by tribal farmers in India. Genetic variability can be exploited to develop new varieties with higher yield. However, yield is complex and depends on multiple interconnected component characters. Diversity analyses, such as D2 analysis, are used to evaluate the diversity among genotypes and determine the traits that contribute the most diversity in a given population. These analyses are crucial for achieving the goal of developing new varieties with increased yield. Methods: In this study, 323 little millet genotypes were evaluated using an Augmented RCBD, focusing on ten quantitative traits. The experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2020-2021 and good agronomic practices were followed. D2 cluster analysis and path analysis were used to analyze the data, with the "R" tool and the "biotools" and "agricolae" packages, respectively. Result: In this study, 323 little millet genotypes classified into thirteen distinct clusters based on Mahalanobis's D2 statistics, reflecting differences in their phenotypic characteristics. The largest cluster (cluster I) included 243 genotypes, while the smallest clusters (Cluster IX, Cluster X, Cluster XI, Cluster XII and Cluster XIII) had only 1 genotype. The inter-cluster distance varied, with the largest value (577.7) between cluster V and XII. This analysis can be useful for identifying desirable genotypes and understanding the population's genetic diversity and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cassava is one of the major root and tuber crops cultivated globally. • Genetic diversity studies help to select superior and diverse parents for breeding programmes. • SSR markers determine the genetic similarity among genotypes eliminating environmental effects. Thirty cassava accessions, including released and pre-release varieties in India were selected for morphological, statistical and molecular analysis to evaluate their genetic divergence. Based on ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), significant differences were observed in thirty genotypes for the fifteen characters used in the study. Most of the characters such as plant height, stem weight plant−1, number of leaves plant−1 and mean weight of tuber exhibited high GCV and PCV along with a positive correlation to tuber yield plant−1. Path analysis showed that stem weight plant−1, number of tubers plant−1, number of leaves plant−1, leaf dry matter content and number of nodes plant−1 directly affected tuber yield plant−1. The genotypes were then grouped into nine clusters following Mahalanobis' D2 statistics with clusters IV and VIII recording the maximum inter-cluster distance, which gave an idea about the diversity prevailing among them. PCA analysis showed that stem girth, number of nodes and tuber yield plant−1 accounted for greater variability among the genotypes. Molecular analysis using SSR markers showed polymorphism for eighteen markers and molecular dendrogram clustering grouped the genotypes into three principal clusters with different subclusters. Overall, the study highlights the genomic diversity of cassava accessions and provides valuable insights into their characteristics and yield potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Ginger has been an important cash crop with numerous applications since ancient times. As the demand for ginger is ever-growing and being a seasonal crop, a high-yielding variety of ginger would be economically profitable. Methods. In this study, 150 germplasm were collected from different regions of NE India and evaluated for three years in CRBD design with three replications. The present study thus focused on the variability, association, and diversity studies for the first time on 150 ginger germplasm from across North East India. The genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, correlation, and path analysis were evaluated for the germplasm. Results. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed considerable differences among the studied germplasm for studied characters, revealing sufficient variability in the materials. The MahalanobisD2 and Tocher methods grouped the 150 ginger germplasm into ten clusters. Based on the results of the path coefficient analysis determined for essential oil yield and rhizome yield per plant, it can be concluded that the characters' initial rhizome weight, the weight of mother rhizome, and weight of secondary rhizome were the most important and appeared promising in improving the overall yield potential of ginger rhizome and essential oil yield. Thus, selection based on the identified traits would lead to an effective ginger breeding program for higher rhizome and essential oil yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Back ground: Pulses are an important source of protein in the human diet and black gram is a popular pulse crop in India. The black gram breeding program faces various drawbacks due to narrow genetic diversity accompanied by biotic and abiotic diseases which seriously affect the yield potential of the crop. Hence it is important to understand the gene action and to frame the efficient breeding program in black gram for yield improvement. Methods: The present experiment was conducted during 2018-2019. Sixty-nine F2 plants of the cross ADT3 ? KKB14-052 were raised and nine biometrical traits were recorded. Genetic variability and association analysis were carried out. Result: High PCV and GCV were obtained for the traits viz., number of primary branches/plant, number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant and single plant yield. High heritability and high GAM were obtained for the traits viz., plant height, number of primary branches/plant, number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant, hundred seed weight, pod length and single plant yield. All the characters under the study were significantly positive correlation with yield except days to 50% flowering. Number of pods/plant showed a high positive, direct effect on single plant yield. Hence, these characters would be mainly focused in black gram breeding programs for yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted at the Agricultural College, Aswaraopet, Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, India during July to December 2021 by using thirty elite rice genotypes comprising of different durations i.e. short, medium and long to study the nature of relationship between grain yield and morpho-physiological traits by partitioning the correlation co-efficients between grain yield and morpho-physiological traits into direct and indirect effects. Observations were recorded on seven yield, six physiological and three root characters. The correlation studies revealed that, grain yield plant-1 had shown a significant positive association with yield contributing traits like 1000 grain weight, spikelet fertility, specific leaf area and root biomass, indicating the importance of these traits in yield improvement. Among all other yield attributing characters, spikelet fertility showed the highest significant positive correlation with yield whereas days to 50% flowering and number of productive tillers plant-1 exhibited non-significant positive association with grain yield plant-1. Path coefficient analysis revealed that the highest positive direct effect on grain yield was exhibited by spikelet fertility and 1000 grain weight. A high magnitude of negative direct effects on yield was shown by field emergence at 14 DAS. Thus, from the studies on correlation and path analysis, it could be concluded that the traits viz., spikelet fertility, 1000 grain weight, specific leaf area and root biomass could be used as selection parameters for improving grain yield under dry DSR system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports the findings from a safety research survey conducted among the employees of a large public-sector electrical utility in the state of Kerala, India. Responses from 3017 employees were collected by one-to-one interaction using the developed instrument. Personal factors like self-esteem, job stress, personal stress, social support and fatigue of the targeted population were measured. Personal safety climate factors of the utility were accessed by modifying the existing safety climate scales. Statistical analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the factors in the study. A significant path model of personal and safety climate factors was developed. Seven research hypotheses were validated using statistical analysis. The results of the study highlighted the need for safety participation, safety knowledge, safety training and interventions to reduce personal issues in the workplace. These findings provide valuable insights for safety professionals for implementing novel methods to ensure workplace safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the input, process and output factors (along with their manifest variables) of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and to establish cause and effect relationships amongst the factors and sub-factors. Systems thinking, a holistic approach, is used to carry out qualitative analysis of the feedback loops. Design/methodology/approach: A well-structured questionnaire was developed to gather the relevant data to identify the factors affecting the performance of SMEs in a holistic manner. A total of 150 responses were collected during November 2015–March 2016. Factor analysis and path analysis were used to establish causal relationships between input, process and output factors. The systems thinking approach has been used for qualitative analysis. Findings: Feedback loops have been identified amongst input-process-output-input factors and amongst sub-factors. They enabled authors to infer that the managers/owners of SMEs are systems thinkers, if not completely, at least partially. Six negative feedback loops and one positive feedback loop prevail. System behaviour arises out of the interaction of positive and negative feedback loops; it appears that in the long-run, the SMEs attain their target levels. The following inferences are drawn: circular relationships are identified amongst input, processes and organisational performance (OP), modern management tools such as just in times, Kanban have long-term benefits and are perceived as ineffective by small enterprises and formal financing and functional transparency enhances OP. Originality/value: Systems thinking, a holistic approach, has been used to study the effect of input, process and output factors on one another. Such studies are sparse, especially, in the Indian context. Many studies have been conducted to study the effect of input and of processes on performance such as innovation, information technology, human resource, technology, government regulation on performance of SMEs in a silo but, rarely all together. The qualitative analysis adds value to the research. Many of the outcomes of the research have been largely discussed in Indian print media which indicates the pragmatic approach of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were carried out in National Active Germplasm Site (NAGS) at ICAR-NRC on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India during 2018 and 2019 to find out the association between different characters and magnitude of association of different characters with yield (kg plant-1) in nine clones of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). Result revealed that genotypic coefficient were higher than their corresponding phenotypic ones implying an inherent relationship among them. The differences between genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV) were found narrow for all traits indicate least influence of environment on traits. Heritability was more than 80% for all the parameters studied except seed weight (34.90%) and TSS (73.20%). Correlation analysis quantifies only the degree of association between two characters and non-significant correlation coefficient value cannot be taken to imply absence of functional relationship between the two variables but path coefficient analysis reveals this by breaking the total correlation coefficient into components of direct and indirect effects. The number of leaflet, leaf length, leaf width, rachis length, petiole length, length of panicle, fruit weight, pulp weight, TSS, total sugar and seed weight exhibited positive correlation. Among the character studied, leaf length (1.646), TSS (0.975), length of panicle (0.900), petiole length (0.639), and number of fruit per panicle (0.601), seed weight (0.465) and pulp weight (0.370) recorded maximum positive direct effect towards yield at both the level. This study revealed that leaf length, panicle length, number of fruit per panicle and seed weight could form a selection criterion for yield improvement in litchi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Okra is India's most widely grown tropical and subtropical vegetable crop. Despite widespread cultivation, crop yield and productivity remain subpar. Yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) disease is a serious threat to Indian okra production, causing yield losses ranging from 17.09 to 96.49 per cent. In this context, the present study was aimed to assess the variability and character association of 74 elite germplasm accessions for thirteen quantitative and quality traits. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation (PCV and GCV) were observed among all evaluated traits except fruit diameter, which showed a moderate PCV and GCV. All traits had high heritability and high genetic advance, implying that the heritability was most likely due to additive gene effects. Direct selection of these traits would be advantageous for okra improvement, especially in developing a YVMV resistant genotype. Fruit yield per plant exhibited a significant and positive genotypic as well as phenotypic correlation with fruit weight, fruit length, peroxidase activity, polyphenol activity, fruit diameter, total phenolic content and plant height, whereas node at which the first flower appeared and YVMV were negatively correlated to fruit yield per plant. Correlation studies indicated YVMV resistance towards high total phenolic content, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase. The high positive direct effects on fruit yield per plant were observed for fruit weight followed by number of fruit per plant and total phenolic content. This study revealed that simultaneous selection of these traits can help in increasing yield and YVMV resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies were conducted at Central Horticulture Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Bhubaneswar during 2018 to 2020. Forty mango germplasm were studied for their genetic variability, heritability, and character association between yield and quality traits to estimate the contribution of traits towards yield. High genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were recorded for yield, fruit weight, stone weight, pulp to stone ratio, peel weight, titratable acidity, total carotenoid, total flavonoid, total phenol which provide wide scope of improvement through selection. Moreover, high heritability and genetic advance were also observed in all characters. Peel weight, total carotenoid, total phenol and total flavonoid exhibited significant positive correlation with yield. Path analysis revealed that total flavonoid, peel weight, pulp to stone ratio, total carotenoid, total phenol, titratable acidity, stone weight, sex ratio, and total soluble solids had maximum direct effect on yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, CO2 exchange over sugarcane and wheat growing season was quantified by continuous measurement of CO2 fluxes using eddy covariance (EC) system from January 2014 to June 2015. We also elaborated on the response of CO2 fluxes to environmental variables. The results show that the ecosystem has seasonal and diurnal dynamics of CO2 with a distinctive U-shaped curve in both growing seasons with maximal CO2 absorption reaching up to −8.94 g C m−2 day−1 and −6.08 g C m−2 day−1 over sugarcane and wheat crop, respectively. The ecosystem as a whole acted as a carbon sink during the active growing season while it exhibits a carbon source prior to sowing and post-harvesting of crops. The cumulative net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) were −923.04, 3316.65, and 2433.18 g C m−2 over the sugarcane growing season while the values were −192.30, 621.47, and 488.34 g C m−2 over the wheat growing season. The sesbania (green manure) appeared to be a carbon source once it is incorporated into soil. The response of day-time NEE to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under two vapor pressure deficit (VPD) sections (0–20 h Pa and 20–40 h Pa) seems more effective over sugarcane (R2 = 0.41–0.61) as compared to the wheat crop (R2 = 0.25–0.40). A decrease in net CO2 uptake was observed under higher VPD conditions. Similarly, night-time NEE was exponentially related to temperature at different soil moisture conditions and showed higher response to optimum soil moisture conditions for sugarcane (R2 = 0.87, 0.33 ≤ SWC < 0.42 m3 m−3) and wheat (R2 = 0.75, 0.31 ≤ SWC < 0.37 m3 m−3) crop seasons. The response of daily averaged NEE to environmental variables through path analysis indicates that PAR was the dominant predictor with the direct path coefficient of −0.65 and −0.74 over sugarcane and wheat growing season, respectively. Satellite-based GPP products from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (GPPMOD) and Vegetation Photosynthetic model (GPPVPM) were also compared with the GPP obtained from EC (GPPEC) technique. The seasonal dynamics of GPPEC and GPPVPM agreed well with each other. This study covers the broad aspects ranging from micro-meteorology to remote sensing over C4-C3 cropping system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History is replete with examples where humans have sought refuge in nature for psychological restoration. In this cross-sectional study we explore the relationship of nature experience and mindfulness. Nature experience is assessed through "nature in the neighbourhood", "frequency of visit" to nature-rich spaces, as well as one's inherent connection with nature described as "nature relatedness". The study sample consisted of 334 Indian adults. The findings from this study show that frequency of visit to nature-rich spaces has a significant positive association with mindfulness. The hierarchical regression analysis suggests an interaction effect of "nature relatedness" in the association of the presence of nature rich spaces in the neighbourhood, frequency of visit as well as mindfulness. Interestingly, when childhood experiences were explored they had a significant association with "nature relatedness" and mindfulness. The evidence from this research suggests that nature experience may find its application as one of the mindfulness techniques prescribed for self-management of mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation deals with the genetic divergence, correlation, and path coefficient study for the six characters among sixty-two accessions of Ammi visnaga L. grown during two consecutive years, 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, in India. Morphological variability was detected for stem and umbel color from center reddish to pink during vegetative growth. In this study, high genetic co-variance (GCV) and high heritability with maximum genetic advance (GA), and high mean percentage were noticed for biological yield and harvest index and seed yield. These auspicious traits would possibly be governed by additive gene effects, which could help select the best genotypes using an appropriate breeding strategy for crop improvement. The highest positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficient was recorded for the number of umbels correlated between biological yields and seed yield. On the other hand, the path coefficient study revealed that the harvest index has the maximum direct contribution followed by biological yield, number of primary branches, and umbels on the seed yield. Results clearly showed variation in important economic traits could facilitate selection for further genetic improvement in A. visnaga genotypes. In this study, several unique accessions were identified that might be exciting genotypes for the genetic modification of the different morphometric characters in the hybridization program. The accession no. AV-45 was having the highest carotol (66.1 %), followed by AV-7 carotol (66.0 %). Therefore, these accessions can be further exploited for commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In acid soils, majority of the applied phosphorus (P) transforms to sparingly soluble Fe (P Fe) and Al phosphates (P Al), triggering rampant P deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term (46-years) nutrient management practices on P fractions and P adsorption-desorption behaviour of an acid soil with a soybean-wheat cropping system. Out of ten treatments employed in this experiment, eight most pertinent to the study, viz., control, N (100 % of recommended N fertilizer), NP (100 % of recommended N and P fertilizers), 50 % NPK (50 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers), NPK, 150 % NPK, NPK+FYM (100 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers with farmyard manure), and NPK+Lime (100 % of recommended N, P, and K fertilizers with lime) were selected. The findings revealed that amorphous Fe and Al, which play a significant role in P fixation, increased due to cultivation. The treatment 150 % NPK recorded the highest available P (104 mg kg-1), followed by NPK+FYM (84.1 mg kg-1) at 0–15 cm depth. The P Fe was the dominant inorganic P fraction (25–46 %) while soluble and loosely bound P (the easiest plant available fraction) was the lowest (0.9–1.9 %). The long-term cultivation led to an accumulation of P Fe and P Al fractions while caused dissolution of calcium bound P (P Ca). The highest content of organic P (P o) was recorded with NPK+FYM (234 kg ha-1). The analysis of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms indicated that NPK+FYM and 150 % NPK reduced the P adsorption maxima to 341 and 231 mg kg-1, respectively, compared to 406 mg kg-1 for NPK. Moreover, these treatments increased the P sorption saturation to 33 % and 37 %, respectively, as compared to 12 % for NPK, and significantly enhanced P desorption, raising concerns about eutrophication. A path analysis was carried out to elucidate the effects of P dosage, liming, and manuring on soil properties, available P, P adsorption-desorption parameters, yield, and P uptake. In summary, the NPK+Lime treatment offered the most balanced approach, improving both crop yield and P uptake while effectively managing P dynamics in the soil. On the contrary, long-term application of NPK+FYM in an acid soil may result in faster P saturation of adsorption sites and increase the chances of leaching and eutrophication. Furthermore, tailored P fertilization strategies should be developed to better utilize the P Fe and P Al fractions and supplementing applied P. • Phosphorus (P) dynamics was studied after 46 years of cultivation in an Alfisol. • Suboptimal P dose reduced yield, P uptake, P fractions and increased P adsorption. • Fe and Al bound P were the dominant P fractions, except Ca bound P in NPK+Lime. • 150 % NPK and NPK+FYM showed lowest P adsorption and highest P desorption. • Highest yield and P uptake was obtained with NPK+FYM and NPK+Lime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifestyle behaviours and its mediating relationships between socio-economic characteristics and physical health effects have been widely discussed in epidemiological study. Considering a proper study framework, the relationship between lifestyle and mental health has not been rigorously established. Utilizing population based elderly data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Ageing in India (BKPAI), present study has made an attempt to understand the direct and indirect effects of lifestyle behaviours on the mental health outcomes of elderly through statistical path. Six lifestyle behaviours were examined: physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, family relation and social activity. In order to measure mental health, two common symptoms of general psychological stress including anxiety and depression were identified by examining factor structure of twelve item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in Indian elderly. The result shows that anxiety and depression were more common among the elderly with unhealthy lifestyle such as physical inactivity, regular smoking, social isolation and poor family relation. Multivariate analysis also shows, poor physical health, characterised by functional limitation, presence of NCDs, and disability has a stronger influence on anxiety and depression. Moderation analysis suggests that both physical activity and social activity have a moderation effect on anxiety and depression over socio-economic risk factors. This study evidently concludes that unhealthy lifestyle behaviours of older adults such as regular smoking, low level of physical activity are directly vis-à-vis indirectly associated with bad mental health. Therefore, modification of these unhealthy lifestyle behaviours will effectively reduce the burden of psychological distress among older adults in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lentil is an oldest domesticated grain legume in the world. It is cultivated during winter season in India which is a major source of protein (28%) for human consumption. The present study was undertaken to study association analysis of grain yield with other quantitative traits and to estimate direct and indirect effects of various traits on grain yield. Methods: The experiment was carried out using 53 advance breeding lines of lentil in a Randomized Complete Block Design and replicated thrice. Result: The investigation revealed that days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity, plant height, pods/plant, biological yield/plant and grain yield/plant have significant differences and wide range of variations during both the year. Pods/plant exhibited high genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance signifying the effects of additive gene effect. Pods/plant and biological yield/plant showed positive and significant correlations with grain yield/plant and also have positive direct effects on grain yield. Therefore, this investigation suggested that pods/plant and biological yield/plant may be focused during selection for genetic gain in lentil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The research work for studying genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as well as correlation and path coefficient analysis for 13 traits with sixty seven genotypes of upland cotton was carried out during winter 2017 at Cotton Research Station, Srivilliputtur, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. The variability studies indicated that the high estimate of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was observed for seed cotton yield per plant. High phenotypic coefficient of variation and moderate genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for the number of monopodia per plant. High heritability observed for the number of monopodia per plant, the number of bolls per plant, seed index, lint index, ginning percentage, 2.5% span length, uniformity ratio, bundle strength, fibre fineness and seed cotton yield per plant. The number of monopodia per plant, the number of bolls per plant, bundle strength, fibre fineness and seed cotton yield per plant shows high heritability coupled with high genetic advance over mean indicating the preponderance of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. The correlation study revealed that plant height, the number of monopodia per plant, the number of sympodia per plant and the number of bolls per plant had a significant positive association with seed cotton yield per plant. Path analysis indicated that the number of bolls per plant and seed index have maximum positive direct effect on seed cotton yield per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite a strong theoretical rationale for combining water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) interventions to improve child health, study findings are heterogeneous with little understanding of the mechanisms for these effects. Our study objective was to demonstrate the utility of structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess intervention effects on height-for-age z score (HAZ) through the complex system of WaSH pathways.Methods: We used data from a matched cohort effectiveness evaluation of a combined on-premise piped water and improved sanitation intervention in rural Odisha, India. Height/length was measured in children 0-59 months old (n = 1826) from 90 matched villages in February-June 2016. WaSH behaviours and infrastructure were assessed through household surveys and observation, respectively. We used SEM to calculate the standardized path coefficients and the total contributions of WaSH pathways to HAZ.Results: Intervention improvements on HAZ were through the sanitation pathway (coverage → use β: 0.722; use → HAZ β: 0.116), with piped water coverage indirectly affecting HAZ through improved sanitation use (β: 0.148). Although the intervention had a positive association with handwashing station coverage, there was no evidence of a total hygiene pathway effect on HAZ or further direct effects through the water pathways.Conclusions: This study demonstrates the utility of SEM to assess the mechanisms through which combined WaSH interventions impact HAZ as a system of pathways, providing a more nuanced assessment than estimation of the total intervention effect. Our finding, that water impacts HAZ through the sanitation pathway, is an important and actionable insight for WaSH programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken with the objective to determine the nature and magnitude of variability, degree of association between yield and it`s component characters and their direct and indirect effects on grain yield in rice. The experiment was conducted on rice in year 2013-14 at Borlaug Crop Research Center of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand. All the traits had positive correlation to seed yield per plant of rice except days to flowering at genotypic level and at the phenotypic level. At phenotypic level panicle length (0.2145) and harvest index (0.4713) had highly significant level and positive correlation to seed yield per plant. Grain number per panicle (0.1550) and panicle number per plant (0.1398) showed positive and level of significant correlation with seed yield per plant. The days to flowering (-0.1879) have highly significant level with negative correlation to seed yield per plant. Path analysis showed the positive and direct effect on seed yield per plant at genotypic and phenotypic level for panicle number per plant (0.393 and 0.380 respectively), panicle length (0.236 and 0.198), grain number per panicle (0.646 and 0.112) and harvest index (0.443 and 0.448). While days to flowering (-0.175 and -0.167) and plant height (-0.037 and -0.008) had negative direct effect. The traits which showed positive correlation and positive direct effect on seed yield per plant can be used to increase seed yield for further breeding programs and may be given due importance in selection during rice breeding programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing industries all around the world have embraced the philosophy of lean thinking. The realm of “lean” is no longer limited to shop floor; it has propagated to almost every aspect of business. Thus, lean thinking is now applicable to complete supply chain. This paper investigates the interrelationships between pillars and constructs of a proposed framework of lean supply chain management in Indian manufacturing sector. The results establish a mental model of framework of lean supply chain using interpretive structural modeling and path analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Present study investigated the genetic variability, correlation and path analysis on various yield attributing traits of forty nine bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes grown at Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal during rabi season for two consecutive years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 enduring with terminal heat stress. Wide spectrum variability was revealed for all the characters studied which could provide scope for improvement through selection. High Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), heritability, Genetic advance (GA), GA (%) of mean was observed in the characters viz., proline content, no. of tillers plant-1, no. of spikes plant-1, no. of grains spike-1 and yield plant-1 under late heat stress condition. The genotypes viz. GW 2011-403, WSM 135, GW 2008-153, RAJ 4358, RAJ 4362, J-07-47 & UP 2783 were found to be high yielders may exploit towards heat tolerance. Yield plant-1 was found to have significant positive association with plant height, no. of tillers plant-1, no. of spikes plant-1, spike length, no. of spikelets spike-1, no. of florets spike-1, no. of grains spike-1, floret fertility and grain weight spike-1 at both genotypic and phenotypic levels; while a significant negative correlation was observed with chlorophyll-a and total chlorophyll content at both the levels and chlorophyll-b at genotypic level only. Considering path coefficient analysis, no. of tillers plant-1, spike length, no. of florets spike-1 and floret fertility were mentioned as selection criteria under late heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a methodology to evaluate the component-level contributions for individual attributes of service quality at Indian railway stations. This can be used toward prioritizing the railway station facilities for their improvements that will lead to higher passenger satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach – Individual component-level analysis has been carried out for the different attributes with an aim to improve service quality through passenger satisfaction study (user perspective). The component-level analysis is Step II subsequent to Step I that determined the degree of dissatisfaction of passengers at attribute level. Findings – It is found that “adequacy,” “visibility of the system,” and “time of travel” are the key components to be addressed to improve satisfaction in security system having 52 percent variance in response explained through these components. Similarly “functional amenities,” “adequate station furniture,” and “sanitation” explain 49 percent of variance of attribute passenger amenities. Research limitations/implications – The work is limited to the subjective evaluation of the physical facilities and functional services of a railway station. Several other aspects like managerial, behavioral are not considered. Originality/value – The analysis helps in understanding the components of attributes that contribute to satisfaction of passengers at an Indian railway station. Evaluating service quality through degree of dissatisfaction measure in public domain is a method with the advantages of comparison between stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Educational institutes must embrace the principles of total quality management (TQM) if they seek to remain competitive, and survive and succeed in the long run. An educational institution must embrace the principles of quality management and incorporate them into all of their activities. Starting with a theoretical background, the paper outlines the results of a study conducted on both internal and external customers of the educational system, with select engineering and management institutes as foci of study. The study is an attempt toward developing an integrated customer-centric model of quality management in education, through the use of multiple methodologies so as to be able to evaluate service quality; prioritize improvement of service; and guide and develop educational services by incorporating the voice of the customer (VOC). The purpose of this paper is to establish the prioritization for improvement of service design of an educational system through incorporation of the VOC, be it internal or external customers, through the use of multiple methodologies, leading to generalization of results. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses multiple methodologies with various techniques for analysis through the application of the SERVQUAL; quality function deployment (QFD); interpretive structural modeling (ISM); and path analysis. The SERVQUAL was applied to identify the gap and determine the level of service quality. Following this, QFD, ISM and path analysis were used to identify the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that would meet the requirements the various internal and external customers of the educational system. The QFD was used to identify the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that meet the requirements of the various internal and external customers of the educational system. The ISM and path analysis were used to identify and prioritize the design characteristics/quality components that would meet the requirements the various internal and external customers of the educational system. Findings – The findings from the various techniques were amalgamated, and proposed as an integrated model of TQM in higher education. The study helped identify with a customer perspective, the quality components which would help design TQM for higher education institutions in India. Research limitations/implications – The paper could be useful to government bodies, funding agencies, policy makers and administrators in developing a system that could lead to satisfaction of both internal and external customers of the educational system. Originality/value – The study includes within its scope the varied customers of the educational system, namely, internal and external customers of the educational system; the internal customers being the faculty and the administrative staff, and the external customers being the students and the industry (as the employer). This is yet to be seen in other research studies. Also, the integration of the multiple tools and their application to the field of higher education in India, has not yet been made available in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child marriage is a breach of the basic fundamental rights of a child and is a major concern for policy makers in many countries. Objective: The present study intended to identify the direct and indirect socio-demographic factors associated with child marriage among 15–17 years old girls in India. Participants and setting: The study used National Family Health Survey-4 data. The sample comprised of 1459 married girls and an equal number of unmarried girls aged 15–17 years at the time of the survey. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the factors associated with child marriage. A hypothetical path model was constructed and tested. The path models were refitted after removing the insignificant path coefficients, and finally, the significance of direct as well as indirect effects were obtained. Results: Path analysis revealed that mother's education was the only factor that had both significant direct and indirect effects on child marriage (p < 0.001). Religion had only significant indirect effect (p = 0.047) through girls' education. Besides mother's education, the factors that showed significant direct effects on child marriage were wealth index (p = 0.012), caste (p = 0.009) and education of the girl (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Education of both mothers and the girls, wealth index and caste had significant direct effects on child marriage whereas significant indirect effect was exerted by mothers' education and religion. Therefore, these factors should be given primary focus while formulating strategies to curb child marriage in countries like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium grain mould disease (FGMD) is a part of the grain mould disease complex and is caused by Fusarium species which are capable of infecting spikelet tissues at anthesis or immature grain up to physiological maturity. The disease causes severe losses in quality, viability and germination of sorghum seed. To determine the effect of FGMD associated characters (panicle grain mould score (PGS), seed rot, amount of Fusarium, and non-Fusarium infected seed and seed weight) on seed germination and to find the inter-relationship among these characters, replicated field trials were conducted with 36 sorghum recombinant inbred lines (RILs) during 2009 and 2010 at Hyderabad, India. PGS showed a strong positive relationship with seed rot and seedborne Fusarium (P < 0.01). Seed rot showed a significant positive relationship with seedborne Fusarium and a negative relationship with seed weight and germination (P < 0.01). Frequency of seedborne Fusarium on mould-infected sorghum seed had a strong negative correlation with that of non-Fusarium infection (P < 0.01), suggesting interactions between them in causation of grain mould in sorghum. Path coefficient analysis for seed germination revealed that seed rot (−0.43) and PGS (−0.28) had a maximum direct effect, accompanied with less interference by other factors, on seed germination. Seed rot has emerged as the most important parameter for determining seed germination in moulded sorghum grains. Few promising RILs that produced minimum premature seed rot were identified. The RIL numbers 144, 156 and 159 were superior to controls for many FGMD associated characters and could be useful sources for improvement of FGMD resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Field and laboratory experiments were carried out at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to screen suitable parameters for thermotolerance in wheat cultivars. Four wheat cultivars namely PBW-502, PBW-343, WH-542 and PBW-509 were sown at six dates at weekly interval starting from 30th October to 4th December. The growing degree days were accumulated more under 30th October sowing (1815.82) than 4th December (1502.89). The path coefficient analysis revealed that the direct effect of grain weight (P57= 0.3815) followed by number of spikes m-2 (P27= 0.3483) on yield was more as compared to number of grains spike-1 (P47= 0.0744). These results showed that thermal use efficiency, grain filling period, spikes m-2, grainspike weight ratio, test weight can be used as an index for screening thermotolerance in wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Safety management practices not only improve working conditions but also positively influence employees’ attitudes and behaviours with regard to safety, thereby reducing accidents in workplace. This study measured employees’ perceptions on six safety management practices and self-reported safety knowledge, safety motivation, safety compliance and safety participation by conducting a survey using questionnaire among 1566 employees belonging to eight major accident hazard process industrial units in Kerala, a state in southern part of India. The reliability and unidimesionality of all the scales were found acceptable. Path analysis using AMOS-4 software showed that some of the safety management practices have direct and indirect relations with the safety performance components, namely, safety compliance and safety participation. Safety knowledge and safety motivation were found to be the key mediators in explaining these relationships. Safety training was identified as the most important safety management practice that predicts safety knowledge, safety motivation, safety compliance and safety participation. These findings provide valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners for identifying the mechanisms by which they can improve safety of workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-nine genotypes of boro rice (Oryza sativa L.) were grown in a randomized block design with three replications in plots of 4m x 1m with a crop geometry of 20 cm x 20 cm between November-April, in Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nagaon, India. Quantitative data were collected on five randomly selected plants of each genotype per replication for yield/plant, and six other yield components, namely plant height, panicles/plant, panicle length, effective grains/panicle, 100 grain weight and harvest index. Mean values of the characters for each genotype were used for analysis of variance and covariance to obtain information on genotypic and phenotypic correlation along with coheritability between two characters. Path analyses were carried out to estimate the direct and indirect effects of boro rice's yield components. The objective of the study was to identify the characters that mostly influence the yield for increasing boro rice productivity through breeding program. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive genotypic correlation of yield/plant with plant height (0.21), panicles/plant (0.53), panicle length (0.53), effective grains/panicle (0.57) and harvest index (0.86). Path analysis based on genotypic correlation coefficients elucidated high positive direct effect of harvest index (0.8631), panicle length (0.2560) and 100 grain weight (0.1632) on yield/plant with a residual effect of 0.33. Plant height and panicles/plant recorded high positive indirect effect on yield/plant via harvest index whereas effective grains/panicle on yield/plant via harvest index and panicle length. Results of the present study suggested that five component characters, namely harvest index, effective grains/plant, panicle length, panicles/plant and plant height influenced the yield of boro rice. A genotype with higher magnitude of these component characters could be either selected from the existing genotypes or evolved by breeding program for genetic improvement of yield in boro rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation heritability, expected genetic advance, correlation and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits were estimated using 27 accessions of pigeonpea. Moderate to high PCV and GCV were recorded for number of pods, seed yield per plant, plant height and plant spread. High heritability with high genetic advance as % of mean was observed for number of pods, primary and secondary branches per plant, test weight, plant height and plant spread. Days to 50% flowering, plant spread, primary and secondary branches per plant, number of pods and raceme length had moderate to low direct effect and its true relationship of these traits with grain yield. Hence, direct selection for these traits would be rewarding for yield improvement in pigeonpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The past decade has seen a proliferation and mushrooming of a large number of educational institutions offering professional courses. With demands for greater responsiveness and accountability on the one hand and growing competition for students and resources on the other, the educational system in India has begun to realize the significance of a qualitative orientation, and commensurate to this there have been attempts to provide for better services, with ‘delighting the customer’ being the focus of all efforts. This has resulted in the need for identifying and applying the relevant concepts of Quality Management to Education. Starting with a theoretical background, the paper outlines the results of a study conducted on the students as primary customers to obtain a perspective on the Quality of select educational institutions. The paper is aimed at identifying the design characteristics of a system that would meet the customer requirements of the student as an external customer. Based on the literature review followed by a pilot study, the various customer requirements and design characteristics were identified and thereby, the variables conceptualized. The SERVQUAL was applied to identify the gap and determine the level of service quality. Following this, Quality Function Deployment, Interpretive Structural Modelling and Path Analysis were used to identify the set of minimum design characteristics/quality components that meet the requirements of the students as an important customer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite several programs and policies to turn down the burden of malnutrition in the country, the rank of India in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) is 102 among 117 countries, which indicates a serious hunger situation. It is essential to design more specific interventions by focusing on the key determinants that may directly or indirectly influence malnutrition in India. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Family and Health Survey-4 (NFHS) (2015-16), we developed a structural equation model to find the direct, indirect, and total effect of various determinants on stunting, wasting, and underweight. We used spatial analysis to identify local occurrences of factors that are critical in controlling malnutrition. A p -value of 0.05 was considered to be significant throughout the study. Analysis was performed using STATA (version 15.1MP) and GeoDa software (version 1.14). Results: A final sample of 90, 842 children of 0-24 months of age was selected for the analysis. The CFI and TLI values of 0.98 and 0.93, respectively, are indicative of a good fit model. Moran's I value of global spatial autocorrelation for the widespread presence of diarrhea, poor drinking water source, exclusive breastfeeding, low birth weight, no prenatal visits, poor toilet facility was observed to be 0.446, 0.638, 0.345, 0.439, 0.620, and 0.727, respectively. Conclusion: A robust direct relation was observed for diarrhea, exclusive breastfeeding, and children born with stunting, underweight, and wasting. The variables associated indirectly with the outcome variables were the education of the mother, residence, and desired pregnancy. The identification of hotspots through spatial analysis would help revive control strategies in the affected area according to geographical needs. It is extensively addressed that interventions related to health and nutrition during the first 1, 000 days of life is crucial to seize the upshoot of growth floundering among children., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Singh, Alam, Majumdar, Tiwary, Narzari and Mahendradhata.)

Adoption of improved animal husbandry practices in 240 respondents (selected at random), 10 each from twenty-four villages of six talukas of Banaskantha, Sabarkantha and Mehsana districts of North Gujarat was conducted by Ex-post facto research design by including sixteen independent variables, relevant to the study. Multiple regression analysis indicated that regression coefficient was highly significant (R2= 85.90). Five variables viz., education, caste, dairy farming experience, income and knowledge exerted highly significant (P<0.01) positive effect, whereas age exerted negative but significant effect on the adoption. Path analysis indicated that out of the 15 independent variables analyzed, 9 variables exhibited direct positive effect and 6 expressed negative direct effect. The knowledge, income and dairy farming experience showed the highest positive direct effect, whereas age and economic motivation had maximum negative effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The link between stress-related increases in inflammatory markers, hepcidin, and iron status are poorly understood, especially in developing countries like India. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between adolescent life-event stress (ALES), inflammatory markers, and its association with hepcidin and biomarkers of iron status among adolescent boys., Methods: Data pertaining to a subsample of 145 participants from a cross-sectional, school-based study recruiting 370 adolescent boys aged 15-19 years, from 5 schools in Hyderabad, India, were analyzed. Stress was assessed using the ALES scale, psychological distress by the General Health Questionnaire-2 (GHQ-12), and approach and avoidance coping using the Coping Strategies Scale. Biomarkers of iron and concentrations of other micronutrients, hepcidin, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma were analyzed. Data were subjected to regression, path analyses, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)., Results: ALES was a significant predictor of interleukin (IL)-6 (β = 0.196, p = 0.012), CRP (β = 0.217, p = 0.010), and log hepcidin (β = 0.228, p = 0.006). Hepcidin correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with IL-6 (r = 0.344) and CRP (r = 0.370) but not with the biomarkers of iron status. Path analysis showed that the model had an acceptable fit, with a root mean square error of approximation of 0.019, 90% confidence interval (CI) of 0.00-0.074, comparative fit index of 0.988, chi-square p = 0.393, and chi-square/df of 1.053., Conclusions: Adolescent life-event stress is associated with elevated IL-6 and hepcidin concentration but not hypoferremia. These findings may help in iron supplementation programs for tackling anemia.