Women Entrepreneurship In the Industrial Manufacturing Sector of Kerala

This study was on women's industries programme in Kerala, to assess the involvement of manpower in this field and to analyse the difficulties and problems faced by the women entrepreneurs which impede the growth and smooth functioning of units. It was supported by the views of 275 women entrepreneurs of Kerala. Census method was adopted and only 58 per cent of units responded by supplying necessary details. Details were collected from these: units through mailed questionnaires designed for the purpose. The study highlights the profile of workers in the women's industrial units, but the profile of the entrepreneurs is neglected. Problems faced by women entrepreneurs are analysed under the following major heads viz., capital, raw materials, marketing, competition from other units and availability of power. But the conclusions drawn from the survey are not on proper empirical support. It also includes suggestions of entrepreneurs. The major findings of the study are as follows : Nearly 82 per cent of the women's industrial units are functioning throughout the year. Proprietory concerns and co—operative societies are the popular ones. Majority of the units are running on profit. Women's units are still in their infancy and so the problems faced by them are many. The characteristics of having other business or sister concerns is lacking among women entrepreneurs. Nearly 94 per cent of the employees are permanent. About four-fifth (81%) of the workers are full time employees. Only a very small proportion of the employees (1%) get a reasonable income that is above Rs.50O per month. The workers are very young and 63 per cent workers have no experience at all.

FEM based Virtual Prototyping and Design of Third Harmonic Excitation System for Low Voltage Brushless Alternators

Salient pole brushless alternators coupled to IC engines are extensively used as stand-by power supply units for meeting in- dustrial power demands. Design of such generators demands high power to weight ratio, high e ciency and low cost per KVA out- put. Moreover, the performance characteristics of such machines like voltage regulation and short circuit ratio (SCR) are critical when these machines are put into parallel operation and alterna- tors for critical applications like defence and aerospace demand very low harmonic content in the output voltage. While designing such alternators, accurate prediction of machine characteristics, including total harmonic distortion (THD) is essential to mini- mize development cost and time. Total harmonic distortion in the output voltage of alternators should be as low as possible especially when powering very sophis- ticated and critical applications. The output voltage waveform of a practical AC generator is replica of the space distribution of the ux density in the air gap and several factors such as shape of the rotor pole face, core saturation, slotting and style of coil disposition make the realization of a sinusoidal air gap ux wave impossible. These ux harmonics introduce undesirable e ects on the alternator performance like high neutral current due to triplen harmonics, voltage distortion, noise, vibration, excessive heating and also extra losses resulting in poor e ciency, which in turn necessitate de-rating of the machine especially when connected to non-linear loads. As an important control unit of brushless alternator, the excitation system and its dynamic performance has a direct impact on alternator's stability and reliability. The thesis explores design and implementation of an excitation i system utilizing third harmonic ux in the air gap of brushless al- ternators, using an additional auxiliary winding, wound for 1=3rd pole pitch, embedded into the stator slots and electrically iso- lated from the main winding. In the third harmonic excitation system, the combined e ect of two auxiliary windings, one with 2=3rd pitch and another third harmonic winding with 1=3rd pitch, are used to ensure good voltage regulation without an electronic automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and also reduces the total harmonic content in the output voltage, cost e ectively. The design of the third harmonic winding by analytic methods demands accurate calculation of third harmonic ux density in the air gap of the machine. However, precise estimation of the amplitude of third harmonic ux in the air gap of a machine by conventional design procedures is di cult due to complex geome- try of the machine and non-linear characteristics of the magnetic materials. As such, prediction of the eld parameters by conven- tional design methods is unreliable and hence virtual prototyping of the machine is done to enable accurate design of the third har- monic excitation system. In the design and development cycle of electrical machines, it is recognized that the use of analytical and experimental methods followed by expensive and in exible prototyping is time consum- ing and no longer cost e ective. Due to advancements in com- putational capabilities over recent years, nite element method (FEM) based virtual prototyping has become an attractive al- ternative to well established semi-analytical and empirical design methods as well as to the still popular trial and error approach followed by the costly and time consuming prototyping. Hence, by virtually prototyping the alternator using FEM, the important performance characteristics of the machine are predicted. Design of third harmonic excitation system is done with the help of results obtained from virtual prototype of the machine. Third harmonic excitation (THE) system is implemented in a 45 KVA ii experimental machine and experiments are conducted to validate the simulation results. Simulation and experimental results show that by utilizing third harmonic ux in the air gap of the ma- chine for excitation purposes during loaded conditions, triplen harmonic content in the output phase voltage is signi cantly re- duced. The prototype machine with third harmonic excitation system designed and developed based on FEM analysis proved to be economical due to its simplicity and has the added advan- tage of reduced harmonics in the output phase voltage.

Bud development, flowering and fruit set of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Horseradish Tree) as affected by various irrigation levels

Moringa oleifera is becoming increasingly popular as an industrial crop due to its multitude of useful attributes as water purifier, nutritional supplement and biofuel feedstock. Given its tolerance to sub-optimal growing conditions, most of the current and anticipated cultivation areas are in medium to low rainfall areas. This study aimed to assess the effect of various irrigation levels on floral initiation, flowering and fruit set. Three treatments namely, a 900 mm (900IT), 600 mm (600IT) and 300 mm (300IT) per annum irrigation treatment were administered through drip irrigation, simulating three total annual rainfall amounts. Individual inflorescences from each treatment were tagged during floral initiation and monitored throughout until fruit set. Flower bud initiation was highest at the 300IT and lowest at the 900IT for two consecutive growing seasons. Fruit set on the other hand, decreased with the decrease in irrigation treatment. Floral abortion, reduced pollen viability as well as moisture stress in the style were contributing factors to the reduction in fruiting/yield observed at the 300IT. Moderate water stress prior to floral initiation could stimulate flower initiation, however, this should be followed by sufficient irrigation to ensure good pollination, fruit set and yield.

The Political Ecology of Salmon Aquaculture in Chile

Every German consumes per year, 15% is salmon, which is the third most popular fish in Germany after Alaska-Seelachs and Hering (Keller/Kress 2013: 9). But where does the salmon that ends up on our plates every 6th time we eat fish come from? There's no obligation for producers to declare the origin of their fish products, but if they do so, the latin name of the fish, catching method and catch area should be declared. Salmon, of which about 40% are captured in the wild and the rest brought up in aquacultures, could then be declared as follows: Salmon (salmo salar), aquaculture from Chile. Without any doubt, this makes consumption more transparent, but the standards of production – both, social and ecological ones – and the ecological impacts are still kept in the dark.

Home gardens and Dioscorea species – A case study from the climatic zones of Sri Lanka

Home gardens are considered as vital units for enhancing food security particularly in developing nations of South Asia, such as Sri Lanka. Although the yam crop Dioscorea spp. constitute a popular but still minor component in Sri Lankan home gardens, they have the potential of producing large quantities of edible material with minimal inputs. However, their real value in South Asian home gardens is not yet reported. Hence, this study was carried out to get insights into home garden characteristics, gardener demography as well as current management practices within 300 Sri Lankan home garden systems that are located along a climatic gradient. By using interviews and field observations, gardeners, who cultivated in particular Dioscorea species, were studied within 10 of the 25 administrative districts distributed in the wet, intermediate and dry climatic zone of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, current management practices of yams cultivation were analyzed on local scale and compared afterwards with management recommendations published in the year 2006 by the Department of Agriculture. Dioscorea species were found in a majority of home gardens, especially in wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka. D. alata was the most prominent species and was managed at a subsistence level and not as per recommendations developed by the Department of Agriculture. Our results revealed that Dioscorea alata is an essential component of Sri Lankan home gardens in rural areas and can yield substantial quantities of edible tubers with low input, especially during times of food scarcities, and has therefore the potential to enhance food security and rural development.

Influence of pre-plant densities of Meloidogyne incognita on growth and root infestation of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) (Amaranthaceae) – an important dimension towards enhancing crop production

Vegetables represent a main source of micro-nutrients which can improve the health status of malnourished poor in the world. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is a popular leafy vegetable in many countries which is rich with several important micro-nutrients. Thus, consuming Spinach helps to overcome micro-nutrient deficiencies. Pests and pathogens act as major yield constraints in food production. Root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne species, constitute a large group of highly destructive plant pests. Spinach is found to be highly susceptible for these nematode attacks. Though agricultural production has largely benefited from modern technologies and innovations, some important dimensions which can minimize the yield losses have been neglected by most of the growers. Pre-plant or initial nematode density in soil is a crucial biotic factor which is directly responsible for crop losses. Hence, information on preplant nematode densities and the corresponding damage is of vital importance to develop successful control procedures to enhance crop production. In the present study, effect of seven initial densities of M. incognita, i.e., 156, 312, 625, 1250, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 infective juveniles (IJs)/plant (equivalent to 1000cm3 soil) on the growth and root infestation on potted spinach plants was determined in a screen house. In order to ensure a high accuracy, root infestation was ascertained by the number of galls formed, the percentage galled-length of feeder roots and galled-feeder roots, and egg production, per plant. Fifty days post-inoculation, shoot length and weight, and root length were suppressed at the lowest IJs density. However, the pathogenic effect was pronounced at the highest density at which 43%, 46% and 45% reduction in shoot length and weight, and root length, respectively, was recorded. The highest reduction in root weight (26%) was detected at the second highest density. The Number of galls and percentage galled-length of feeder roots/per plant showed significant progressive increase across the increasing IJs density with the highest mean value of 432.3 and 54%, respectively. The two shoot growth parameters and root length showed significant inverse relationship with the increasing gall formation. Moreover, the shoot and root length were shown to be mutually dependent on each other. Suppression of shoot growth of spinach greatly affects the grower’s economy. Hence, control measures are essentially needed to ensure a better production of spinach via reducing the pre-plant density below the level of 0.156 IJs/cm3.

Local food security initiatives: systemic limitations in Vancouver, Canada

This paper approaches the topic of urban/community gardening not through the lens of urban theory per se but in light of basic farming realities such as growing season and land availability. Food security comprises availability and affordability. In the context of North American and Western European societies, only food affordability normally merits public discourse. In practice, governments have little or no means to change food affordability, in view of prevailing capitalistic free-market structures. In the current wave of popular exuberance, civic politicians and others have promoted the belief that community gardening could be the pathway to produce affordable food. The formidable obstacles to this pursuit include the availability of (low-cost) land within the highly-densified city limit, insufficient ambient temperature and water supply during the growing season and the contemporary structure of society. Overcoming these fundamental hurdles carries significant negative environmental and economic consequences.

Duende y literatura : aproximación al flamenco como manifestación de la cultura popular andaluza.

Se presenta experiencia educativa que propone hacer un recorrido por la historia y los cantes flamencos para fomentar la cultura popular andaluza entre el alumnado. Se realiza en el IES Fray Luis de Granada en Granada. Los objetivos son: tener una noción de la historia del flamenco, lo que en gran medida equivale a tener una noción sobre la historia de Andalucía; situar al flamenco en su contexto artístico, conocer la relación que han tenido con el flamenco pintores como Romero de Torres, músicos como Manuel de Falla, o escritores como los Machado, Lorca, los románticos, Salvador Rueda, Alberti, Caballero Bonald, Félix Grande, etc; tener alguna noción de algunos cantes en los que se divide el flamenco. Su ritmo, métrica, temática, y otras características esenciales; apreciar el cante en directo, sirviéndonos de él para ilustrar las explicaciones teóricas.

Un modelo integrador y reformista : la fundación Escuelas Selgas.

Conocer en profundidad el proyecto educativo de la Fundación Escuelas Selgas, revalorizar su papel como institución escolarizadora y reseñar la importancia cuantitativa y cualitativa del material escolar del centro. Periodo fundacional e inicial (1915-1930) de las Escuelas Selgas. Análisis del contexto educativo asturiano de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX donde se estudia la relación entre sociedad y escuela, la legislación existente y la intervención conjunta de la universidad y de la emigración en la Enseñanza Primaria en la creación de las fundaciones docentes reformistas. Análisis de la Fundación Escuelas Selgas: fundador, entorno, estatutos, proyección, infraestructura, organización de recursos humanos, objetivos, metodología, funcionamiento interno y material didáctico. Libros de actas, libros de registros, carpetas de documentación, catálogos de material escolar, estadísticas escolares, informes de la inspección provincial. Las fundaciones benéfico-docentes tuvieron su auge en las primeras décadas del siglo XX debido a que el partido republicano reformista las utiliza como instrumento para realizar una reforma a fondo de la Enseñanza Primaria; y además, porque en ese momento la Universidad de Oviedo se caracterizaba por su conexión con otros niveles educativos, su interés por la educación popular, y por ofertar realmente orientaciones pedagógicas y técnicas apropiadas a los promotores de fundaciones escolares. Las Escuelas Selgas se inaguraron como fundación benéfico-docente particular el 9 de marzo de 1914, con un carácter de complementariedad con la red escolar pública, una decidida vocación popular, un funcionamiento gratuito y aconfesional y, sobre todo, una manifiesta voluntad de sometimiento y acomodación a la legislación y normativa que regulaba la escuela pública. Se configuró como grupo escolar graduado en seis secciones diferentes, con una organización racional en los aspectos académicos y empresarial en las cuestiones administrativas. Tenían entre 200 y 240 alumnos y una plantilla de seis profesores. Funcionaban a partir de un triple enfoque (graduado, práctico y moral), con una metodología intuitiva apoyada por un material pedagógico adecuado y utilizando evaluaciones continuas y programas cíclicos. Su edificio es un ejemplo claro de concrección de las prescripciones dadas en la instrucción técnico-higiénica de 1905, a las que se ajusta perfectamente, constituyéndose en un modelo a imitar.

Escolarizaci??n y analfabetismo en Asturias : los procesos de alfabetizaci??n popular, 1923-1937

Conocer y analizar la difusi??n de la Instrucci??n Primaria en la sociedad asturiana durante la tercera y cuarta d??cadas de este siglo. Conocer en profundidad el proceso de democratizaci??n cultural en Asturias, hasta qu?? punto y cu??ndo es impulsada, por qu?? fuerzas sociales nuestra regi??n se incorpora al tipo de sociedad alfabetizada y desarrollada culturalmente con la generalizaci??n de la educaci??n. Estudio de las redes escolares y las infraestructuras materiales en la escolarizaci??n regional. Este trabajo est?? dividido en cuatro partes. Previamente se presenta una introducci??n que pretende aproximarnos a la realidad de Asturias desde una perspectiva econ??mica, pol??tica, demogr??fica y social. La primera parte se refiere al analfabetismo. La segunda estudia el proceso de escolarizaci??n partiendo de una introducci??n sobre el estado de la Instrucci??n Primaria en v??speras de la Dictadura primorriverista y aportando un estudio diferenciado para los tres periodos: Dictadura, Transici??n y Rep??blica. La tercera parte se dedica al estudio de las infraestructuras educativas. La parte cuarta se dedica a la instrucci??n post-escolar para mayores de catorce a??os dentro del marco global de la cultura popular. Bibliograf??a. Bibliotecas. Peri??dicos, revistas y publicaciones oficiales. Estudio pormenorizado de la actividad escolar en todos los ayuntamientos asturianos agrupados por ??reas geogr??ficas o partidos judiciales. La situaci??n educativa en 1923 se caracterizaba por una red escolar importante por su volumen, pero deficitaria, inadecuada, asentada en infraestructuras arcaicas, con cifras de asistencia escolar reducidas y con unos deficientes resultados educativos limitados a la adquisici??n de un bagaje cultural m??nimo. La actuaci??n de la Dictadura extendi?? la red escolar p??blica cuando la evoluci??n demogr??fica, la ampliaci??n de la edad escolar y la sociedad m??s lo demandaban. Durante el periodo republicano se crearon m??s escuelas pero, a diferencia del total nacional, en Asturias la mayor??a eran mixtas y unitarias en detrimento de las escuelas graduadas y de p??rvulos. Durante la Guerra Civil se reorganiz?? la Instrucci??n Primaria con la nacionalizaci??n de toda la red escolar a partir de la incautaci??n de las privadas y particulares y se consigui?? un alto nivel de funcionamiento educativo con una cobertura del 83 por ciento de los centros escolares existentes en la zona republicana. En Asturias los procesos de alfabetizaci??n y escolarizaci??n se expanden a lo largo del siglo XX debido a la coincidencia de una doble funcionalidad externa e interna. La externa ven??a dada por el Estado en su objetivo de modernizar el pa??s y la interna, por el deseo de cualificaci??n t??cnica y formaci??n sociopol??tica de los individuos, lo que convirti?? a la alfabetizaci??n y a la instrucci??n en una necesidad.

Literatura popular y folklore infantil en la enseñanza del Inglés Lengua Extranjera.

Mostrar que en la literatura popular y en el folklore infantil inglés existen una serie de características que la aconsejan como material de apoyo para la enseñanza del Inglés y que tal utilización es viable. 75 cuentos y 280 rimas y adivinanzas. Alumnos de Inglés de sexto, séptimo y octavo de EGB, primero y segundo de BUP y COU. En primer lugar se estudia la problemática de la enseñanza de idiomas y las fuentes del currículum que inciden en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de una lengua extranjera. Al mismo tiempo se realiza una indagación referente al tema de la literatura popular y el folklore infantil, seleccionando, clasificando y analizando una muestra del mismo. A continuación se aplica alguno de los materiales a alumnos de EGB y BUP. Las variables analizadas son: las funciones que el folklore infantil y los cuentos populares desempeñan en la formación del niño, las funciones que el material seleccionado puede desempeñar en la clase de Inglés, las características de dicho material, sus posibilidades didácticas y la viabilidad de su utilización. Bibliografía. Materiales de cursos, congresos y encuentros para profesores de idiomas. Fichas. Registro de incidencias de orden léxico, estructural, fonético, funcional, sociocultural y lúdico en el caso de rimas y adivinanzas; y de tema, estructura, características léxicas, estructurales y retóricas y referencias socioculturales en el caso de los cuentos. La valoración de la utilidad del material experimentado en el aula de Inglés se realiza a través de evaluaciones de la comprensión lectora. El análisis del léxico de todo el material da como resultado la presencia de: vocabulario de interés para el estudiante, técnicas acumulativas, repeticiones, encabalgamientos y otros recursos que facilitan la retención memorística y son útiles para trabajar diferentes tipos de estructuras gramaticales. En cuanto al análisis fonético, se ha visto que todo el material en verso sirve para practicar el ritmo y la pronunciación de diferentes fonemas. Con la experimentación del material de rimas y adivinanzas en el aula se comprueban tres cosas: son una manera eficaz de fijar la lengua de modo inconsciente, este material interesa no sólo a los alumnos de EGB, sino también a los de BUP y el riesgo didáctico que corre el material poético y literario cuando se le utiliza para enseñar Lengua, desaparece si se lleva a cabo una metodología activa y lúdica. El uso de la literatura popular y el folklore infantil en el aula de Inglés cumple una función integradora de conocimientos, acerca al estudiante a la cultura y a la literatura inglesa, contribuye al dominio comunicativo de la lengua y desempeña una función motivadora en el alumno.