Eastern Zone Research Articles

Correlative study of Aerosol Optical Depth with Precipitable water over five AERONET station across the world

Ground-based measurements were taken at various locations, including Kathmandu Bode, Beijing, Gandhi College (located in South Asian zone, highly polluted area), Canberra, and UNC Gaitan (located in South Eastern zone, low polluted area), from January to December 2016. The study investigated the seasonal and inter-annual AOD that were obtained using CIMEL Sunphotometer, as a part of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). The data showed that Kathmandu (0.45±0.01), Gandhi College (0.45±0.02 and Beijing (0.85±0.03) had higher AOD values compared to other stations, with Kathmandu being a high-altitude site. The analysis found that pre-monsoon AOD were higher over Kathmandu (0.45±0.01), Gandhi College (0.45±0.02), UNC Gaitan (0.28±0.001), and Canberra (0.06±0.002). On the other hand, the monsoon AOD was higher over Beijing (0.85±0.03). The study identified various factors contributing to the higher AOD values in specific regions. Beijing, Gandhi College, and Kathmandu, located in Asian monsoon regions, experienced high aerosol loading due to economic activities, vehicles, urbanization, vegetation fire, land clearing for crop cultivation, as well as winter biomass burning, heating needs, and pollution from bricks kilns, factories, and vehicles. Canberra and UNC Gaitan had higher AOD values primarily due to biomass burning and dust. AOD values are higher for shorter wavelength and vice-versa. We conducted a correlation analysis between AOD and perceptible water at different wavelengths and observed one to one correspondence. The columnar water vapor (CWV) exhibited a high correlation with AOD in Canberra (Coefficient of determination, R2 = 0.61) at 1640 nm but had no relationship with AOD in Gandhi College (Coefficient of determination, R2 = 0) at 1640nm. There is weak negative correlation between AOD and preceptable water over Kathmandu and UNC Gaitan, but have positive correlation in Canberra, Beijing and Gandhi College

Prevalence of coronary artery disease and the associated risk factors among the patients attending the medicine department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in the North Eastern Zone in India

Prevalence of coronary artery disease and the associated risk factors among the patients attending the medicine department in a tertiary care teaching hospital in the North Eastern Zone in India

Genetic Analysis of Malkangiri Goats in its Native Tract

Background: In the present study, genetic analysis of Malkangiri goat, a native goat population of southern Odisha is made. Methods: The present study area was under south eastern ghat agro climatic zones in Odisha. These goat type is raised under semi-intensive system of management with a flock size ranging from 5 to 35. The body weight and some biometric traits were recorded from birth to 12 months at an interval of 3 months. Estimation of heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlation also were reported in this research article. Result: Overall body weight of this goat type were found to be 16.31±0.17 kg with height of 57.44±0.50 cm at marketable weight of 12 months. The heritability estimate of body weight was recorded as 0.19±0.13 and 0.22±0.15, respectively at birth and 12 month of age. The heritability estimates of HW, BL, HG and PG at 12 month of age were 0.13, 0.32, 0.22, 0.13, respectively. The genetic correlation among the body weight and body measurement traits ranged from 0.21 to 0.91, whereas, the phenotypic correlation range from 0.18 to 0.52 at 12 month of age. This information on the genetic analysis may be helpful in developing further breed improvement strategies and conservation.

Marine copepod assemblages in the Arctic: The effect of frontal zones on biomass and productivity

The Barents Sea, as the largest Arctic shelf region with high productivity, supports vital commercial fisheries. The region's ecosystem is significantly impacted by both warm Atlantic Water (AW) and cold Arctic Water (ARW), resulting in frontal zones that delineate differing water masses. Zooplankton populations serve as the primary link between primary producers and higher trophic levels. To evaluate the potential influence of frontal zones on copepods, we conducted a summer survey focusing on sites where diverse water masses interacted. Our findings revealed that species richness, diversity, biomass, and daily production of common copepods were highest in the Polar Front, separating AW and ARW, as well as in the eastern frontal zones (Barents Sea Water and Novaya Zemlya Coastal Water). Herbivorous copepods, such as Calanus spp. and Pseudocalanus spp., dominated in terms of total copepod biomass and production, whereas the small omnivore Oithona similis prevailed by abundance. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a strong correspondence between frontal zones and copepod assemblages. The primary factors explaining spatial variations in copepod biomass and production included the geographic positions of sampling stations, depth, and chlorophyll a concentration. Our research underscores the significance of oceanographic fronts as zones of critical importance for overall pelagic productivity in Arctic regions.

Does expansion of college education benefit urban entrepreneurship and innovation in China?

It is important to determine whether China's unprecedented expansion of college education (ECE) since 1999 has made a significant impact on the urban entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I). Using the data of 284 cities at the prefecture level and above from 2000 to 2020, this study empirically identifies the average treatment effect (ATE) of China's ECE on the urban E&I with its spatial spillover and explores two mediating channels (i.e., talent accumulation, and labor misallocation) to reveal how China's ECE impacts urban E&I. The results verify that with strong significance and robustness, the ECE for either undergraduates or master's students wholly matter for the E&I of cities, especially cities located in eastern or northeast economic zone，cities with a population less than 5 million or the ones without “Mass Innovation and Entrepreneurship Demonstration Bases”. Meanwhile, both the “Matthew effect” and the spatially “beggar-thy-neighbor” of ATE induced by the ECE are also be confirmed. Arguably, the China's ECE contributes either more talents accumulation or less labor misallocation, thereby furtherly boosting urban E&I. Above results were beneficial, especially at the decision-making for the developing countries to promote urban innovation and entrepreneurship under the scenario of college enrollment expansion.

Validating SoilDoc kit for site‐specific fertilizer recommendations for maize production in Tanzania

AbstractSoilDoc is a soil testing kit designed to determine site‐specific fertility status and enhance the accessibility of soil test services for smallholder farmers in the tropics. This study aimed to validate the use of the kit in the Southern Highlands (Mbeya and Njombe) and the Eastern Zone (Mvomero) of Tanzania. Composite soil samples collected from 144 smallholder farm fields were analyzed using 0.01 M CaCl2 extraction solution as per SoilDoc protocols. Out of 144 sites, 24 sites were randomly selected for nutrient response trials. The treatments were (i) absolute control, (ii) N alone, (iii) P Low N (Recommended P and half of recommended N), (iv) recommended NP, (v) NPK, (vi) NPS, (vii) NKS, and (viii) NPKS, replicated three times. Maize yields were subjected to analysis of variance. Relative yield for each nutrient applied was subjected to Cate and Nelson procedure to determine critical ranges. Across all sites, the control yielded least (0.55–5.20 Mg ha−1). Application of NPS, NPK, NP, or NPKS produced the highest yield (2.5–6.9 Mg ha−1). The SoilDoc critical ranges were 0.30–0.48 mg P kg−1; 0.15–0.27 cmolc K kg−1, and 4.1–4.8 mg S kg−1. Mbeya and Njombe soils appeared deficient in either NS, NP, NPK, or NPK, while in Mvomero 53% of soils were deficient in N alone and 31% of soils were deficient in NS. In the absence of field‐specific soil tests, applying N, P, S, and K in Mbeya and Njombe and N and S in Mvomero would be best bets for maximizing yield and return on fertilizer investment.

Water Typology in the Amazon: Close Correlation with the Hydrogeochemistry of River Basins

A study on the typology of Amazonian waters was developed in the North Geographic Region of Brazil, considering a set of historical data from 1995 to 2022. The objective was to discuss and point out which environmental parameters are considered preponderant within the classification criteria of Amazonian waters. Historical data on temperature, density, pH, conductivity, oxygen, transparency, light attenuation, turbidity, color, total and dissolved solids, hardness, alkalinity, CaCO3, BOD, COD, main cations and anions, iron, C, N and P fractions, silicate, trace elements (Al, Cu, Zn and Mn) and chlorophyll a were analyzed. The analysis comprised water samples from the National Hydrometeorological Network (Sub-Basins 10 to 19), with a total of 36 basins, including tributaries, lakes and adjacent streams. The historical series was statistically analyzed through the techniques of Cluster, Principal component analysis (PCA), Piper Diagram and image interpolation by the ordinary kriging method. The results indicated a strong seasonal trend, with an evident distinction between the flood and ebb periods. The typology of white, black and clear waters was also evidenced, this last group being an intermediate class to the others, due to the physical-chemical standards. The PCA highlighted the parameters conductivity, pH, calcium, bicarbonate and Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) (Factor 1), and turbidity and alkalinity (Factor 2) as preponderant in the water classification. The ionic balance demonstrated that the white waters stood out for the highest concentrations of calcium and magnesium. The results suggest a pattern of calcic waters oscillating towards sodic and carbonated waters, with a subgroup in the northern eastern region of seasonally sodic-chlorinated waters, due to the influence of ocean tides. Image interpolation suggested a predominance of white waters in the western southern zone (Western Amazon) and white waters transitioning to clear waters in the eastern zone (Eastern Amazon). The analysis also showed a predominant strip of black and clear waters in the northern zone, and a strip of white waters in the central Amazon.

NIGERIA: COMPOSITE INDICATOR OF FOOD INSECURITY IN ITS CONFLICT AFFECTED REGIONS AND ITS DETERMINANTS. A HETEROSCEDASTICITY CONSISTENT TOBIT MODEL

Abstract: Conflicts constitute some negative influences on households’ economic activities. In Nigeria, the past few years have witnessed progressive crises in some states and the growing level of insecurity is affecting households’ economic livelihoods. This paper analyzed the determi nants of food insecurity indicator in conflict-affected regions in Nigeria. The data were collected in 2017 from 582 respondents in the North East, North-central, and South-South zones. The data were analyzed with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and heteroscedasticity consistent Tobit regression. The results showed that in the combined data, the average number of days per week that respondents relied on less preferred food, limited food portions, and reduced the number of meal per day were 3.42, 2.68 and 2.33, respectively. The PCA was used to generate indicator of food insecurity, with North-East, Northcentral, and South-South zones having average indices of 0.16, -0.09 and -0.02, respectively. The Tobit regression results revealed that in the combined data, food insecurity was promoted by household size, urban residence and receipt of remittances, but reduced by unchanged income, credit purchase and reliance on food aid. In north central, food insecurity was promoted by receipt of remittances, but reduced by ability to grow own crops. In the north eastern zone, food insecurity was promoted by urban residence, income increased, and increase in food prices, but declined by income unchanged, and pension income. In the South-South zone, food insecurity was promoted by household size, urban residence and receipt of remittance income, but declined by credit purchase and unchanged income. It was concluded that addressing food insecurity among residents in conflict-affected areas requires preferential assistances to large families, urban residents, and those with high dependence on remittances. However, the promotion of initiatives for credit purchase, food aid the and ability to grow own crops are potentially able to reduce food insecurity. Keywords: Food insecurity, conflict, remittances, food aid, credit, Nigeria.

Uneven ground? Intersectional gender inequalities in the commercialized cassava seed system in Tanzania

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important crop in Africa, especially to women who rely on it as a household staple food and source of income. In Tanzania, a recent move toward commercializing the cassava seed system resulted in significantly fewer women than men farmers, known as Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs (CSEs), producing improved seed for sale to fellow farmers. To document the barriers and constraints that create gender inequalities in the seed system to better understand women’s low representation and experiences in commercialized cassava seed production, we carried out a mixed-methods study in the Southern, Eastern, and Lake Zones of Tanzania in 2021. The quantitative analysis found differences in key individual and household characteristics between CSEs and farmers who aspired to be but did not participate as CSEs (or A-CSEs) as well as between women CSEs and women A-CSEs. After running a logistic regression, results indicated that sex of the farmer (being male) was a statistically significant predictor of participating as a CSE (p < 0.05), along with having a secondary education (p < 0.05) and owning a bank account (p < 0.01). The qualitative analysis highlighted challenges women CSEs face. They spoke about having lower access to and control over prerequisite resources, which are shaped by other intersecting social identities such as marital status and age. Gender stereotypes about their capacities to manage their seed businesses can demotivate them from carrying out their work as well as experiences dealing with discriminatory gender norms that limit their travel to attend trainings outside their communities. Despite these barriers, some women CSEs expressed positive outcomes that have accrued from their participation in commercialized seed production, including enhanced social status and improved living standards. For the commercialized cassava seed system to be more socially inclusive and sustainable, we argue that there is need to adopt gender-aware approaches to address the underlying barriers and biases that exclude women and other social groups. Development efforts should consider combining social change innovations with seed system interventions to address the inequitable norms and power relations that create unique constraints for women to operate effectively as seed entrepreneurs.

Environmental and Cultural Transformations at the Turn of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age in the Steppe Belt of Eurasia

At the turn of the Late Bronze and Early Iron Age in the steppe belt of Eurasia there were significant cultural transformations which probably had been connected with Rapid Climatic Cycles (RCC) in this time, around 3,2 ka calBP. The correlation of data obtained on the base of radiocarbon dating, paleoclimatic reconstructions and cultural and historical chronology for eastern and western zones of the Great Steppe allowed us to reconstruct these processes. In the Late Bronze period bearers of the Кarasuk culture spread in the steppe zone of the Southern Siberia from Central Kazakhstan to Mongolia and Northern Chine. Formation of the Late Bronze Age cultures Sabatinovka and Belozerka Active cultures took place during period of favorable environment. Then the bearers of the early Hallstattian Carpathian-Danubian cultures and the Cimmerian nomads appeared in the beginning of the Early Iron Age during the aridization episode. Since the middle of 9th century BC expansion of the nomadic Scythian cultures within the whole steppe belt began because of wet climatic conditions.

Levels of total aflatoxins in maize and groundnuts across food value chains, gender and Agro-ecological zones of Uganda

Maize and groundnuts are traditional nutrient-rich and high economic value foods grown in Uganda. However, these crops are susceptible to aflatoxin contamination which may result into aflatoxicosis related illnesses. Occurrence of flatoxins in the foods varies across food value chains, gender and agro-ecological zones of Uganda. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 80 maize and groundnut foodstuff from Masindi and Soroti agro-ecological districts respectively. We determined levels of total aflatoxins in maize and groundnut samples across food value chains, gender and agro-ecological zones. This was aimed at assessing safety and quality status of the foods in Uganda. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information on food handling practices. 500g of each food sample were obtained and analyzed for total aflatoxin levels using ELISA assay. Data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. In overall, 45% of maize and 30% of groundnut foods were contaminated with aflatoxins. Mean aflatoxin levels in foods from Eastern and Western agro-ecological zones were 0.052±0.036ppb and 0.045±0.033ppb respectively (p=0.124). Mean aflatoxin levels in groundnuts from both male and female respondents were coincidentally 0.052ppb. Whereas, the mean aflatoxin levels in maize from male and female respondents were 0.056±0.037ppb and 0.039±0.029ppb respectively. Across the food value chain, wholesaler groundnut foods contained the highest mean aflatoxin levels of 0.088ppb (p= 0.27). Growing high polyamine containing crops, routine testing of aflatoxin prone foods and sensitizing food value chain players are important aflatoxin control strategies.

Exploring the interplay between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and weed dynamics in agricultural ecosystems.

Weeds are responsible for major crop losses worldwide but can provide beneficial agroecosystem services. The present study aimed to study the association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in common weeds found in agro-ecosystem. Around 19 weeds were collected from various locations of eastern dry zone of Karnataka. The mycorrhizal association was determined by root staining technique. Of the 18 weed samples, AM fungal association was found in 17 weed species and the percent root colonization ranged from 10-68 %. Highest root colonization was found in weeds belongs Graminaceae family. The result of the study concludes that, AM fungi colonizes the weeds and they may act as host during the off seasons.

Unemployment and Cybercrime in South-East and South-South Geo-Political Zones of Nigeria: An Analytical Study

This study examined the dynamics of the emerging problem of unemployment and cybercrime in South-East and South-South Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria. The study is an explorative study that is based on secondary data; the data were discussed with thematic content analysis. The paper analytically examined;The Relationship between Unemployment and Cybercrime in South- Eastern and South-South Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria; Reported cases of cybercrime in South- East and South-South Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria and Consequences of Cybercrime in South- East and South-South Geo-Political Zones in Nigeria. This paper adopted both Robert K. Merton’s Strain Theory (1938) and Donald McClelland Theory of Needs (1961). The discussion showed that cybercrime is very high in South-East and South-South Geo-Political Zones especially in Imo state, Rivers State and Edo State. The discussion also showed that unemployment leads most youths to engage in cybercrime. Therefore, the article recommended for creation of jobs, cyber security amongst others as possible solutions to reducing cybercrime in Nigeria.

Checklist of newly-vouchered annelid taxa from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, central Pacific Ocean, based on morphology and genetic delimitation.

We present a checklist of annelids from recent United Kingdom Seabed Resources (UKSR) expeditions (Abyssal Baseline - ABYSSLINE project) to the eastern abyssal Pacific Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) polymetallic nodule fields, based on DNA species delimitation, including imagery of voucher specimens, Darwin Core (DwC) data and links to vouchered specimen material and new GenBank sequence records. This paper includes genetic and imagery data for 129 species of annelids from 339 records and is restricted to material that is, in general, in too poor a condition to describe formally at this time, but likely contains many species new to science. We make these data available both to aid future taxonomic studies in the CCZ that will be able to link back to these genetic data and specimens and to better underpin ongoing ecological studies of potential deep-sea mining impacts using the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusuable) data and specimens that will be available for all. We include genetic, imagery and all associated metadata in Darwin Core format for 129 species of annelids from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, eastern abyssal Pacific, with 339 records.

Exploring the influence of student leadership on self-resilience for national secondary school students in Malaysia

<span lang="EN-US">Students are the backbone to future leadership and the catalyst for the success of a country. Hence, student leadership with high self-resilience should be shaped and built as early as possible. Student leaders with low self-resilience will portray negative feelings and not able to play a full role. To identify student leadership practices and their relationship with national secondary school students’ resilience in the eastern zone states of Malaysia, this quantitative survey study used questionnaires adapted from the inventory of student leadership practices (S-LPI) to measure the dimensions of student leadership on 394 students selected through cluster random sampling while a self-resilience questionnaire was used to measure students’ level of self-resilience. Using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 26 for descriptive data and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM 3) for inferential statistics, the results showed that the dimensions of inspire a shared vision, challenge a processes and enable to act were dimensions of student leadership practices that had significantly affected self-resilience while student leadership practices with flexible, orderly self-resilience and prioritizing social relationships in organizations were factors for shaping future leaders.</span>

Quantifying the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown among the summer crop growers of Uttar Pradesh

Telephonic survey was done with randomly sampled 570 farmers spread across 57 districts representing eastern (16 districts), western (17 districts), central (16 districts) and Bundelkhand (7 districts) zones of Uttar Pradesh during the period of 20 April–25 June, 2020 to ascertain the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the investment and profitability of the summer crops grown by them. Farmers’ responses were compared with their observations on the same variable during the same period of previous year, i.e. 2019. Suitable descriptive and inferential statistical treatments were given to collected data. Results established that there was maximum increase in all cost components for summer maize (8.74–16.21%) followed by okra (7.40–16.24%) and bottle gourd (7–16%). Summer greengram also had similar trends of cost increase (8–17%). Summer groundnut (3.55–5.54%) witnessed a relatively lesser increase for all costsexcept the plant protection cost (20.19%). Thus, compared to last year (2019), the cost components significantly increased for all the cultivated crops in summer. However, the government facilitation coupled with favourable climatic conditions helped the summer crop growers to harvest better yield advantage (4–10%) and accordingly the enhanced market price (5.02–8.52% more) increased profitability index (1.02–14.44%). The parameters like per unit production and plant protection cost emerged as the most prominent determinants of the net return of most of the summer crops during COVID-19 lockdown.

Profile of A District Town, Katwa: From Pre-colonial to Colonial Times

Burdwan district had six principle towns during colonial rule. In eastern zone there were Katwa, Kalna, Dainhat, and Burdwan and in the western strip there were Raniganj and Asansole.The process of urbanization and the features of both sides completely differ from each other. The main thriving force of the eastern portion urbanization was agriculture and the western portion had a complete industrial urge. In this paper I tried to draw a profile of Katwa from pre colonial to colonial times. Its history, geography and morphology, demography, ethnic variety and its special features have been discussed. I have focused Katwa from a glance of change and continuity. Its journey from a pre-historic settlement to a sub divisional town, is the prime focus of this paper.

An overview of Rodinia-Gondwana Supercontinents, India - Asia Collision, emergence of Himalaya and Paleobiogeography of the eastern Tethys in Indian Subcontinent, South Asia

The existence of Rodinia Supercontinent during Meso-Neoproterozoic and its subsequent breakup and reassembly as Gondwana Supercontinent is a widely accepted hypothesis in geological history of the Earth. The breakup of the Rodinia resulted in formation of rift basins and passive continental margins around 650 Ma. Major palaeoclimatic events like Neoproterozoic global glaciation (Snowball Earth) followed by global warming have been recorded from different continents including Indian Lesser Himalaya (Blaini -Krol Cryogenian-Ediacaran Period). The emergence of multicellular Ediacaran life in the Upper Krol Formation is consistent with an increase in the atmospheric oxygen. The base of Ediacaran System in the Lesser Himalaya is established in the cap carbonate, the Blaini Formation overlying the glacial diamictites (Blainian). The pink cap carbonate of the Blaini Formation shows negative δ13C value (-3‰ PDB) and invariably correlate with the Marinoan glacial event. Large continents of Gondwanaland Supercontinent South America, Africa, India, Australia and Antarctica were located over the South Polar region and global equatorial to polar oceanic circulation was blocked and may have been the main cause of glaciation. Paleogeographically Carboniferous–Permian diamictite, coal beds and plant fossil bearing Gondwana outcrops are found in South Sikkim and Arunachal Lesser Himalaya of Northeast India. The Late Paleocene – Middle EoceneTethyan foraminiferal – algal carbonate biofacies are well developed after Late Cretaceous – Paleogene mass extinction event in the eastern Tethys, Meghalaya, east India. These Tethyan benthic orthophragmine foraminiferal –algal limestones were deposited in the passive continental margin setting of a shallow marine carbonate shelf in eastern Tethys and Standard Benthic Zones (SBZ) of the Alpine- Adriatic western Tethys are recorded from Meghalaya. The Cretaceous – Tertiary boundary is well marked in these basins by biotic mass extinction. Late Cretaceous mega ammonoid fossils and Sauropod dinosaur bones are abundantly found in the Maastrichtian Mahadeo Formation. The present δ13C and δ18O isotope data is comparable with the marine values of the limestone The Umlatodoh Limestone contains foraminiferal taxa of early Ilerdian and Middle Eocene (early Lutetian) age. The Indo-Myanmar Orogenic Belt (IMOB) represents the eastern suture of Indian plate and it was formed due to the collision of the Indian plate with the Myanmar plate. The Naga-Manipur ophiolites have been assigned to range in age from Upper Cretaceous to Eocene on the basis of faunal assemblages (radiolarian, planktonic foraminefera) in the olistolithic blocks of pelagic limestone and cherts. Pan Indian Pre and Post India–Asia Collision, emergence of Himalaya and Paleogeography of the Indian Subcontinent has been discussed in South Asia.

Effect of Authentic Leadership on Employees’ Engagement and Job Satisfaction: A Case Study of Public Sector Universities

Several studies have suggested that leaders showing high levels of authentic leadership increase workers’ engagement and job satisfaction. The study was conducted to examine the effect of authentic leadership on employees’ engagement and job satisfaction. The study focused in the public sector universities operating in Eastern Zone. The faculty members working at Nangarhar University, Laghman University, Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University and Nuristan Institute of Higher Education was taken as the target population of the study. From these employees, 143 were selected as a sample of the study using proportional allocation method. Descriptive, regression techniques and reliability statistics were used to analyze the data. As per the results of reliability statistics, scales for authentic leadership (.827), employees’ engagement (.924) and job satisfaction (.744) were found highly reliable. According to regression results of testing hypotheses, the result of authentic leadership has positive significant effects on employee engagement and on job satisfaction. This research will help academic professionals in public sector universities to know how authentic leadership style influences positively employees’ engagement and job satisfaction.

Insights into Rainfall Extremities Across the Agroclimatic Zones of Tamil Nadu, India

Rainfall is a crucial agrometeorological parameter that impacts hydrology and agricultural planning in a region. The spatiotemporal changes in the occurrences of precipitation extremes must be monitored to reduce the hazards caused by the fluctuating rainfall pattern. The extreme rainfall indices for each year categorized under excess, normal and deficit rainfall categories were calculated over the agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu using the high-resolution CHIRPS datasets from 1991 to 2022. The results highlighted that High Rainfall Zone has more consecutive wet days (22 days), minimum consecutive dry days (25 days) and Daily Intensity Index with threshold of 2.5 mm (28.6 mm) compared to other zones. The maximum consecutive dry days of 99 days, a high rainy day of 142 days, and minimum daily intensity of 8.9 mm are experienced by the Cauvery Delta Zone, High Altitude and Hilly Zone, and Western Zone, respectively. Overall, the High Rainfall Zone faces a higher number of extreme rainfall events in terms of wet days and intensity, whereas the average maximum consecutive dry days and minimum rainfall intensity is observed over the north eastern zone and north western zone, respectively indicating high dry periods.