Labour Migration in Indo-Gangetic Plains: Determinants and Impacts on Socio-economic Welfare

In India, male out-migration from rural to urban areas has increased in recent years, especially in the Indo- Gangetic regions of the country. This indicates that most of the developed regions of India are utilizing labour force of backward areas. The paper has investigated on labour out-migration from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to find its determinants and its impacts on farm economy. The analysis of determinants shown that the number of members in a family and their educational status have a positive impact on migration. As a result of male out-migration, the women left behind in the villages assume a major role in various farm activities resulting in the so-called ‘feminization of agriculture’. It has also empowered the female members of the migrant households in terms of enhancing their decision-making role in various activities. The study has observed some policy implications in terms of formation of self-help groups or labour societies to help out-migrants, organization of training programmes for capacity building of women, more thrust on education a girl-child and development of infrastructure in the rural areas.Labour migration, Feminization of agriculture, Farm-women empowerment, Impact on farm socio-economy, Agricultural and Food Policy, J61, J23, J31,

An extension to the neoclassical growth modelto Estimate Growth and Level Effects

The neoclassical growth model was extended by Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992) to estimate the level effects of additional factors like human capital. We suggest a further extension to capture their permanent growth effects. Time series data from Fiji are used to show that the growth effect of human capital, although small, is significant. Furthermore, in our sample the specifications with a permanent growth effect performed better than specifications with only level effects.The Solow Growth Model; Production Function; Shift Variables; Human Capital Level and Growth Effects

Binary Multifunctional Ultrabroadband Self-Powered g-C3N4 /Si Heterojunction High-Speed Photodetector

Compact optical detectors with fast binary photoswitching over a broad range of wavelength are essential as an interconnect for any light-based parallel, real-time computing. Despite of the tremendous technological advancements yet there is no such single device available that meets the specifications. Here we report a multifunctional self-powered high-speed ultrabroadband (250-1650 nm) photodetector based on g-C3N4/Si hybrid 2D/3D structure. The device shows a novel binary photoswitching (change in current from positive to negative) in response to OFF/ON light illumination at small forward bias (<0.1 V) covering 250-1350 nm. At zero bias, the device displays an extremely high ON/OFF ratio of 1.2 x 10^5 under 680 nm (49 microWcm-2) illumination. The device also shows an ultrasensitive behaviour over the entire operating range at low light illuminations, with highest responsivity (1.2 AW-1), detectivity (2.8 x 10^14 Jones) and external quantum efficiency (213%) at 680 nm. The response and recovery speeds are typically 0.23 and 0.60 ms, respectively, under 288 Hz light switching frequency. Dramatically improved performance of our device is attributed to the heterojunctions formed by the ultrathin g-C3N4 nanosheets embedded in the Si surface.Comment: 21 page, 8 figures, 3 table

Effect of Wiggler Magnetic Field on Second Harmonic Generation in Quantum Plasma

Second harmonic generation due to linearly polarized laser pulse propagating through quantum plasma immersed in a transverse wiggler magnetic field is studied using the quantum hydrodynamic (QHD) model. The effects associated with the Fermi pressure, the Bohm potential and the electron spin have been taken into account. Wiggler magnetic field plays both a dynamic role in producing the traverse harmonic current as well as kinematical role in ensuring phase-matching. The quantum dispersive effects also contribute to the intensity of second harmonics. Keywords: Quantum plasma, Harmonic generation, Phase matchin

Occurrence of pteropods in a deep eastern Arabian Sea core: Neotectonic implications

This paper reports pteropod shells (aragonitic) at 100, 200, 270-277 and 470 cm sediment depths in a core (EAST) recovered from 3820 m deep water from the eastern Arabian Sea. Ages of the four stratigraphic levels showing pteropod presence are estimated as 29, 52, 70-72 and 127 kyr. In normal circumstances microfaunal assemblages of this core are expected to be devoid of pteropod shells because the site is situated far below (∼ 3.5 km) the Aragonite Compensation Depth. Therefore, the recorded pteropod shells are exotic to the location and may have been transported from the shallower depths by the turbidity currents. The plausible reason for the preservation of aragonitic shells at such greater depth appears to be quick burial of pteropods resulting from large-scale vigorous slumping triggered by neotectonic activity

Identification and characterisation of a lithium mimetic: enzymatic, cellular and animal investigations

It has been six decades since the discovery of lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder. There is, as yet, no conclusive evidence as to how lithium produces this therapeutic effect, since it is known to interact with multiple cellular targets. One of the most credible targets is the enzyme, inositol monophosphatase (IMPase), which plays a crucial role in cell signalling. My aim was to find a novel IMPase inhibitor and evaluate it as a possible lithium-like mood stabiliser by using enzyme, cell and whole animal experiments.To achieve this, I created recombinant human and mouse IMPase enzymes and then used these for screening and crystallisation. I used two different approaches for the small-molecule screening: substrate-based virtual screening and drug repositioning using a library of compounds with clinically proven safety. I identified ebselen as a novel IMPase inhibitor suitable for drug repositioning.I determined that ebselen inhibited IMPase noncompetitively, likely through a covalent modification on a cysteine. In cell cultures, ebselen was found to inhibit not just IMPase but other steps that resulted in accumulation of higher inositol phosphates. When injected intraperitoneally into mice, ebselen crossed the blood- brain barrier and exhibited inhibition of IMPase ex vivo. Moreover, in mice, ebselen simulates some, but not all, of the behavioural effects of lithium.I have determined that ebselen inhibits IMPase and acts as a partial lithium mimetic. Given that ebselen is safe in man, it warrants clinical testing for the treatment of bipolar disorder

Ethanol production by novel thermophilic anaerobe isolate/S via consolidated bioprocessing

The research work summarizes a very significant, industrially and globally important topic. Particularly the isolation of microorganisms efficient in fermentation at higher than normal temperature and utilizing renewable biomass, is of economic importance. The work presented in this thesis with future perspective has a potential for larger scale consolidated bioprocessing for ethanol production.<br /

A Qualitative Analysis of Healthcare Students’ Perceptions Towards Online Learning due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION: While online learning has the ability to bring students and teachers together in the Distance Education (DE) mode, it is not feasible in the healthcare based professions. AIM: To analyze healthcare students’ perceptions towards online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHOD: This qualitative, focus group-based study was done on the three focus groups consisting of 15 students each: medical, dental and allied sciences. Data were collected using observations from the recordings of the scheduled online interview which was approximately 30-minutes in length and the investigator asked questions from the pre-validated interview guide consisting of seven questions. Data was analyzed using the constant comparative method, which was then consequently categorized into two major areas: positive experiences and negative experiences. Positive experiences included: time flexibility, convenience, ease of connection and ease of learning; while negative experiences included instructor’s inexperience and a lack of interaction, self-motivation, isolation and missing out on practical learning. RESULTS: While responses of the positive experience ranged from “I have the flexibility to wake up few minutes before the lecture and directly log on for the lecture” to “Even during the closure of schools/ classes, I need not worry about lagging behind in my studies”; the negative experiences included statements like “the inexperience of the instructor in handling the teaching software led to difficulties and interruption in learning” and “I am a great loss due to missing patient work!! How am I going to become a good doctor if I don’t practise on patients under supervision of my staff”. CONCLUSION: While students are slowly adapting themselves to online based learning, those belonging to the healthcare sector are missing out on their practical classes which has the potential to hamper the quality of care being provided by them as future professionals