Davinder Singh

Toxicological impact of anilofos on some physiological processes of a rice field cyanobacterium Anabaena torulosa

This study deals with the toxicological impact of the herbicide anilofos on photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen assimilation, and antioxidant system in a diazotrophic rice field cyanobacterium Anabaena torulosa. Treatment of anilofos (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg L−1) affected growth, photosynthetic pigments, photosynthesis, and respiration of the cyanobacterium. Although all the photosynthetic pigments were affected, a maximum effect of the herbicide was observed on phycocyanin (51% reduction) followed by the carotenoids. The effect of the herbicide on photosynthetic pigments resulted in 57% decrease in photosynthetic O2 evolution. Studies on the photochemical activity demonstrated that both photosystems (PS I and PS II) were affected by the herbicide. Decrease in the photosynthesis rate resulted in decreased nitrogen assimilation, as revealed by reduced nitrate (20%) and ammonium (26%) uptake and decreased activities of nitrogenase (63% decrease) and glutamine synthetase (22% decrease). This ultimately resulted in the reduced growth of the organism. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase in the presence of anilofos increased by 1.8–3.5 times over control cultures. Proline content increased by 1.6 times, while the content of ascorbate decreased slightly. These results indicate that the organism was able to tolerate the herbicide stress by activating oxidative stress defense mechanism.

Cyanobacterial lectins characteristics and their role as antiviral agents

Lectins are ubiquitous proteins/glycoproteins of non-immune origin that bind reversibly to carbohydrates in non-covalent and highly specific manner. These lectin-glycan interactions could be exploited for establishment of novel therapeutics, targeting the adherence stage of viruses and thus helpful in eliminating wide spread viral infections. Here the review focuses on the haemagglutination activity, carbohydrate specificity and characteristics of cyanobacterial lectins. Cyanobacterial lectins exhibiting high specificity towards mannose or complex glycans have potential role as anti-viral agents. Prospective role of cyanobacterial lectins in targeting various diseases of worldwide concern such as HIV, hepatitis, herpes, influenza and ebola viruses has been discussed extensively. The review also lays emphasis on recent studies involving structural analysis of glycan-lectin interactions which in turn influence their mechanism of action. Altogether, the promising approach of these cyanobacterial lectins provides insight into their use as antiviral agents.

Optimization, characterization, and flow properties of exopolysaccharides produced by the cyanobacterium Lyngbya stagnina

The exopolysaccharides produced by the cyanobacterium Lyngbya stagnina have been characterized. Maximum amounts of EPS (142.4 µg EPS ml−1 culture) were obtained during the stationary phase of growth and rate of EPS production was maximum during late phase of growth. When medium was supplemented with 85 mM NaCl, the organism produced three times more EPS compared to EPS produced by control cultures. TLC and HPLC analysis of the EPS hydrolysate revealed heteropolysaccharide nature with presence of four neutral sugars and galacturonic acid. Presence of high amounts of galacturonic acid in EPS indicated its polyanionic character. Aqueous dispersions of EPS showed non‐Newtonian, pseudoplastic behavior and its viscosity was found to be quite stable with time. The viscosity data of aqueous dispersions of EPS at different temperatures (20–50 °C) were fitted into rheological models. The viscosity of EPS varied with pH, being highest at pH 10 and lowest at pH 6. Both divalent and monovalent cations caused increase in viscosity of EPS solution. The results suggest that EPS of this organism may find application in food industry.

Influence of technological innovation on performance of small manufacturing companies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine various technological innovation influencers (TIIs) in small manufacturing firms. It introduces a study framework of technological innovation and evaluates the relevance of four TIIs to building and sustaining the competitiveness of Indian firms. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on an in-depth survey of 135 firms located in India’s Northern region. Multiple regression analysis was employed to examine the correlation between TIIs and manufacturing firm performance (MFP) for these firms. Findings The findings verify that entrepreneurial capability, technology infrastructure capability and government initiatives are the most important TIIs for small firms. The findings are also validated by using statistical t-test and canonical correlation analysis. Research limitations/implications This study uses a single informant as the source of information on each firm. The study is limited to small-scale firms in the Northern region of India. Also, the study has been conducted excluding the service sector. Originality/value Recent studies have advocated various TIIs and discussed their impact on MFP. This paper examines the determinants of technological innovation in small manufacturing firms. It introduces a study framework of technological innovation and examines the relevance of four TIIs to building and sustaining the competitiveness of Indian firms.

Strategic alignment of technological innovation initiatives in cutting tool industry in the region

In todays competitive business environment, global competition forces companies to perpetually seek ways of improving their products and services. Markets have become more open, competitive and the customers more demanding. The need of the hour is to deliver high-quality products through continuous improvements in product features, bring new products to the market faster, make product changes faster and more manageable, improve forecasting accuracy of the product demands, reduce costs, improve employee training, skills and education levels, improve information systems and networks, achieve greater flexibility of manufacturing functions. These formidable changes have forced the organisations around the world to adopt innovative and state-of-the-art strategies to suitably address the all important issues of organisation survival, growth and excellence. The key driver of organisations ability to change is innovation. Thus, the organisations are left with no choice but to upgrade the existing systems, products and technologies for their survival. The present work explains that creativity and innovation are the necessary ingredients for developing new technology. The study presents a detailed analysis of the various factors and issues affecting technological innovation initiatives of tool industry in the region and their relative significance in affecting improvements.

Structural equation modelling of technology innovation model using AMOS for Indian MSMEs

Small enterprises typically make a large contribution to manufacturing employment in poor countries. However, the developmental contribution of most of them is limited to generating subsistence employment of last resort. Hence, in the face of fast labour force growth and limited employment absorption in other sectors, developing country governments have mounted efforts to improve productivity and earnings in these firms. Technology innovation is considered to be essential for the survival and growth of individual firms. It is not only the means to increase production, improve quality and develop new products but also increases competitiveness, expands exports and ultimately ensures uninterrupted economic growth. The present study is directed towards justifying the support of technology innovation initiatives (TII) in improving manufacturing performance of MSMEs. Using AMOS 22.0 software structural equation modelling (SEM) of TI model was done. After constructing the model, it was analysed that SEM_TI model values was obtained to near fit values. This implies that the TII can be helpful for Indian small firms in improving the overall manufacturing performance in terms of reduction in the cost of production, extension in range of products, improvement in product life cycle, market share and mean sales profitability.

Analysis of Major Problems Faced by Small Firms in North India

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been noted to play a significant role in promoting economic growth in less developed countries, developing and also in developed countries. Worldwide, the micro and small enterprises have been accepted as the engine of economic growth of any nation. Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of the economies, because it trigger employment, output, export, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, economic development etc. in developed as well as in developing countries. It is more important to developing countries as the poverty and unemployment are burning problems. MSMEs have been playing a momentous role in overall economic development of a country like India where millions of people are unemployed or underemployed. Therefore, the growth of small sectors is essential for the growth in the GDP, employment generation, total manufacturing production and export. India, being one of the fastest growing economies of the world, needs to pay an honest attention for the utmost growth of MSMEs for its increased contribution in above areas.

Exploring the Determinants of Technology Innovation in MSMEs

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) make a significant contribution, by reducing unemployment in India. They need to operate efficiently and productively in order to maximize their contribution to nation, as well as national economies. MSMEs play a significant role in the economic growth of the country owing to production, exports and employment. They contributes 8% to the countrys GDP, 45 % to manufactures output and 40% to the countrys exports. It provides employment to 60 million people. The aggressive competition situation arising out of globalization and liberalization is forcing the organization across the globe to realize that their survival is not feasible in the absence of technological innovation. Technology innovation reflect a critical way in which organization respond to either technological or market challenges. Therefore, the importance of technology innovation in organizations competitiveness is an undeniable fact. The literature reveals that most significant determinants of technology innovation associated with MSMEs are technological collaboration and monetary management. These determinants are relatively significant in improving the manufacturing performance of MSMEs.

Enhancing technological innovation in small firms: Role of collaboration

Contribution of Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is highly remarkable in the overall industrial economy of the country. In recent years, the MSME sector has consistently registered higher growth rate compared to the overall industrial sector. With its agility and dynamism, the sector has shown admirable innovativeness and adaptability to survive the recent economic downturn and recession. However, MSMEs growth rate is still at low level. Therefore, it becomes essential for organizations to adopt new technologies or upgrade existing setup to meet continuously changing global market and fulfill customer needs. This paper explores the relationships between different collaboration networks and technological innovation of small firms through an extensive review of literature. The study finds that collaboration with larger enterprises, R&D institutions, universities and government agencies play a significant role in enhancing technological innovation in small firms.