218 research outputs found
Evaluating Rockefeller Foundation research on drought tolerant rice in China
No full textThis research utilizes economic surplus model and cost-benefit analysis to investigate the justifiability and profitability of drought tolerant (DT) rice research investments by Rockefeller Foundation together with Chinese Government. The research focuses on a sample of 160 rice farmers in Guangxi and Zhejiang who were instructed to plant DT rice. Then another 144 amongst them planted both DT rice and Non-DT rice in the same plot. The impacts of DT rice on yield, irrigation, and farmer’s income are evaluated using both nonparametric and regression analyses. Results show that DT rice variety significantly increases the yield while decreasing the irrigation. This allows farmers to minimize cost and maximize their income. The research investment has paid off and consumers benefit more than producers from development of drought-tolerant rice variety.M.S.Includes bibliographical referencesby Shuchi Zhan
A Study of Recent Accounting Trends in India's Corporate Sector with Special Reference to International Financial Reporting Standards
No full textAccounting is the process of keeping track of monetary transactions and data in a structured, consistent, and understandable style so that stakeholders in a business or organization may make informed economic decisions. Early forms of accounting used clay tokens to keep track of products and livestock, but the discipline has since evolved into a sophisticated system for recording a wide variety of financial transactions and details. The first step toward IAS, or International Accounting Standards, was done in 1959. Since then, accounting groups and others have collaborated to form the International Accounting Standards Committee. In 1997, the IASC was restructured to better enable the convergence of various national accounting standards and practices toward a single, high-quality set of global accounting standards. Established in 1973, it issued the foundational documents for what is now known as International Accounting Standards until the year 2000. As the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) was abolished in 2001, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) was tasked with publishing international accounting standards. The integration of global financial markets and the need of investors for more uniformity in the financial reports of multinational firms both demand the globalization of IFRS
Submodular stochastic probing on matroids
No full textIn a stochastic probing problem we are given a universe E, where each element e in E is active independently with probability p in [0,1], and only a probe of e can tell us whether it is active or not. On this universe we execute a process that one by one probes elements - if a probed element is active, then we have to include it in the solution, which we gradually construct. Throughout the process we need to obey inner constraints on the set of elements taken into the solution, and outer constraints on the set of all probed elements. This abstract model was presented in [Gupta and Nagaraja, IPCO 2013], and provides a unified view of a number of problems. Thus far all the results in this general framework pertain only to the case in which we are maximizing a linear objective function of the successfully probed elements. In this paper we generalize the stochastic probing problem by considering a monotone submodular objective function. We give a (1-1/e)/(k_in+k_out+1)-approximation algorithm for the case in which we are given k_in greater than 0 matroids as inner constraints and k_out greater than 1 matroids as outer constraints. There are two main ingredients behind this result. First is a previously unpublished stronger bound on the continuous greedy algorithm due to Vondrak. Second is a rounding procedure that also allows us to obtain an improved 1/(k_in+k_out)-approximation for linear objective functions
Adsorption of CO and O2 molecules on Li metal adsorbed graphene: Search for graphene based gas sensors
No full textGraph Algorithms for Planning and Partitioning
No full textIn this thesis, we present new approximation algorithms as well as hardness of approximation results for several planning and partitioning problems. In planning problems, one is typically given a set of locations to visit, along with timing constraints, such as deadlines for visiting them; The goal is to visit a large number of locations as efficiently as possible. We give the first approximation algorithms for problems such as ORIENTEERING, DEADLINES-TSP, and TIME-WINDOWS-TSP, as well as results for planning in stochastic graphs (Markov decision processes). The goal in partitioning problems is to partition a set of objects into clusters while satisfying "split" or "combine" constraints on pairs of objects. We consider three kinds of partitioning problems, viz. CORRELATIONCLUSTERING, SPARSEST-CUT, and MULTICUT. We give approximation algorithms for the first two, and improved hardness of approximation results for SPARSEST-CUT and MULTICUT. ii To my grandmothers, (late) Smt. Sita Devi Chawla and Smt. Satyawati Malhotra iii iv Acknowledgements I am grateful to my advisor, Prof. Avrim Blum, for being understanding and patient, for being a great source of information and insight, and for giving me the freedom to work at my own pace on topics of my choice. Thanks also to Dr. Cynthia Dwork and Prof. Anupam Gupta for being great mentors and role models. Prof. Moses Charikar and Prof. R. Ravi helped shape a large part of this thesis through numerous discussions; I am grateful to them for their help and advice during the final year of my graduate study. This thesis would not have been possible without the cooperation of my numerous co-authors --- thanks to you all! An enormous thanks to Aditya and Luis for maintaining my sanity (and sometimes making me lose it) during gra..
Die Rolle des Canonical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) Kanals und des 36 kDa C-terminalen LIM Domänenproteins (CLP36) in der Thrombozytenfunktion
No full textPlatelet activation and aggregation are essential to limit posttraumatic blood loss at sites of vascular injury, but also contribute to arterial thrombosis, leading to myocardial infarction and stroke. Thrombus formation is the result of well-defined molecular events, including agonist-induced elevation of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and series of cytoskeletal rearrangements. With the help of genetically modified mice, the work presented in this thesis identified novel mechanisms underlying the process of platelet activation in hemostasis and thrombosis. Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) through Orai1 was previously shown to be the main Ca2+ influx pathway in murine platelets. The residual Ca2+ entry in the Orai1 deficient platelets suggested a role for additional non-store-operated Ca2+ (non-SOC) and receptor operated Ca2+ entry (ROCE) in maintaining platelet calcium homeostasis. Canonical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), which is expressed in both human and murine platelets, has been attributed to be involved in SOCE as well as in diacylglycerol (DAG)-triggered ROCE. In the first part of the study, the function of TRPC6 in platelet Ca2+ signaling and activation was analyzed by using the TRPC6 knockout mice. In vitro agonist induced Ca2+ responses and in vivo platelet function were unaltered in Trpc6-/- mice. However, Trpc6-/- mice displayed a completely abolished DAG mediated Ca2+-influx but a normal SOCE. These findings identified TRPC6 as the major DAG operated ROC channel in murine platelets, but DAG mediated ROCE has no major functional relevance for hemostasis and thrombosis. In the second part of the thesis, the involvement of the PDLIM family member CLP36 in the signaling pathway of the major platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI was investigated. The GPVI/FcR-chain complex initiates platelet activation through a series of tyrosine phosphorylation events downstream of the FcR-chain-associated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM). GPVI signaling has to be tightly regulated to prevent uncontrolled intravascular platelet activation, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study reports the adaptor protein CLP36 as a major inhibitor of GPVI-ITAM signaling in platelets. Platelets from mice expressing a truncated form of CLP36, (Clp36ΔLIM) and platelets from mice lacking the entire protein (Clp36-/-) displayed profound hyper-activation in response to GPVI-specific agonists, whereas GPCR signaling pathways remained unaffected. These alterations translated into accelerated thrombus formation and enhanced pro-coagulant activity of Clp36ΔLIM platelets and a pro-thrombotic phenotype in vivo. These studies revealed an unexpected inhibitory function of CLP36 in GPVI-ITAM signaling and established it as a key regulator of arterial thrombosis.Die Aktivierung und die Aggregation von Thrombozyten (Blutplättchen) sind essentielle Prozesse, um Blutverluste nach Verletzungen zu begrenzen, sie spielen jedoch auch eine Rolle bei der arteriellen Thrombose, die zu Herzinfarkt und Schlaganfall führen kann. Die Thrombusbildung ist das Ergebnis wohldefinierter molekularer Vorgänge, die die Agonisten-induzierte Konzentrationserhöhung von intrazellulärem Kalzium ([Ca2+]i) und eine Reihe von Umlagerungen des Zytoskeletts mit einschließen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit, die mit Hilfe genetisch veränderter Mauslinien erzielt wurden, decken neue Mechanismen der Thrombozytenaktivierung in Thrombose und Hämostase auf. Es wurde bereits gezeigt, dass der durch Orai1 vermittelte Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) den Haupteintrittsweg für Ca2+ in Mausthrombozyten darstellt. Der verbleibende Ca2+ Einstrom führte zur Annahme, dass zusätzlich non-store-operated Ca2+ (non-SOC) und receptor operated Ca2+ entry (ROCE) eine Rolle in der Aufrechterhaltung der Ca2+ Homöostase spielen. Dem Canonical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), der in Thrombozyten des Menschen als auch der Maus exprimiert wird, wurde eine Rolle in dem SOCE und diacylglycerol (DAG)-vermitteltem ROCE zugeschrieben. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wurde die Funktion von TRPC6 im Ca2+ Signaling und der Aktivierung von Thrombozyten mit Hilfe der TRPC6 defizienten Mauslinie untersucht. Die Funktion der Trpc6-/- Thrombozyten waren in vitro (z.B. Agonisten-induzierte Ca2+-Antworten) als auch in vivo unverändert. Jedoch zeigten Thrombozyten von Trpc6-/- Mäusen einen komplett fehlenden DAG vermittelten Kalziumeinstrom, aber normalen SOCE. Diese Ergebnisse identifizierten TRPC6 als den Haupt-DAG-aktivierten ROC Kanal in Mausthrombozyten. Jedoch hatte diese DAG vermittelte ROCE keine größere funktionelle Relevanz für Thrombose und Hämostase. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit wurde die Rolle von CLP36, einem Mitglied der PDLIM Proteinfamilie, im Signalweg des Haupt-Kollagenrezeptors, Glykoprotein (GP) VI, auf Thrombozyten untersucht. Der GPVI/FcRKette Komplex initiiert die Thrombozytenaktivierung durch eine Reihe von Tyrosinphosphorylierungen, die dem FcR-Kette-assoziiertem immunoreceptor tyrosine based activation motif (ITAM) nachgeschaltet sind. GPVI-vermittelte Signale müssen sorgfältig reguliert sein, um eine unkontrollierte intravaskuläre Thrombozytenaktivierung zu verhindern. Jedoch sind die zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen nicht komplett verstanden. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass das Adapterprotein CLP36 als ein wichtiger Inhibitor des GPVI-ITAM Signalwegs wirkt. Thrombozyten von Mäusen, welche eine trunkierte Form von CLP36 exprimieren, der die LIM-Domäne fehlt (Clp36ΔLIM), als auch von Mäusen, denen das komplette Protein fehlt (Clp36-/-), zeigten eine deutlich verstärkte Aktivierung als Antwort auf GPVI-spezifische Agonisten. Andere Signalwege aber waren nicht beeinflusst. Diese Veränderungen resultierten in einer schnelleren Thrombusbildung und erhöhten prokoagulatorischen Aktivität von Clp36ΔLIM Thrombozyten, welche sich letztendlich als prothrombotischer Phänotyp in vivo bemerkbar machten. Diese Ergebnisse deckten eine unerwartete inhibitorische Funktion von CLP36 im GPVI-ITAM Signalweg auf und etablierten CLP36 als einen wichtigen Regulator der arteriellen Thrombose
IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN DECISION MAKING
No full text<p>The role of Management Information Systems is described and analyzed in light of its capability for decision making. Decision making process and its impact on top level management in a business organization is explained with an emphasis on automated decision making.. This paper focuses on decision making information system</p>
<p>MIS plays a vital role in not only collecting and managing information, but also representing it in various formats useful for the management to make important organizational decisions.MIS provides faster access to the required information which helps the organization to make effective and timely decisions regarding every aspect such as investments, employments, products, etc depending upon the organization.</p>
<p>Decision making basically refers to choosing a certain line of action from among several alternatives Decision making is a major metric to determine the organizations success or failure. The effectiveness of the organization depends upon the quality of decisions that informs its operation. This paper focuses on understanding the need, benefits, types of MIS, the MIS model, decision making system and majorly the role of MIS in decision making of the organization.</p>
An Analysis of Indian Foreign Trade in Present Era
No full textForeign trade plays a vital role in the Indian economy. As the country need to import diverse products so foreign trade is extremely important to country. India exports vast number of products and also imports an equal amount of other products. Although India has steadily opened up its economy, its tariffs continue to be high when compared with other countries, and its investment norms are still restrictive. This leads some to see India as a ‘rapid globalizer’ while others still see it as a ‘highly protectionist’ economy. Nonetheless, in recent years, the government’s stand on trade and investment policy has displayed a marked shift from protecting ‘producers’ to benefiting ‘consumers’. India is now aggressively pushing for a more liberal global trade regime, especially in services. This paper is an attempt to analyse the major changes in volume, composition and direction of Indian Foreign Trade
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