Bismuth Halide Perovskites for Photovoltaic Applications

In the last decade, energy crisis has become the most important topic for researchers. Energy requirements have increased drastically. To overcome the issue of energy crisis in near future, numerous efforts and sources have been developed. Therefore, solar energy has been considered the most promising energy source compared to other energy sources. There were different kinds of photovoltaic devices developed, but perovskite solar cells have been considered the most efficient and promising solar cell. The perovskite solar cells were invented in 2009 and crossed an excellent power conversion efficiency of 25%. However, it has a few major drawbacks, such as the presence of highly toxic lead (Pb) and poor stability. Hence, numerous efforts were made toward the replacement of Pb and highly stable perovskite solar cells in the last few years. Bismuth halide perovskite solar cell is one type of the replacement introduced to overcome these issues. In this chapter, I have reviewed the role of bismuth halide perovskite structures and their optoelectronic properties toward the development of perovskite solar cells

Effect of pulsed electric field treatments on melanosis and quality changes of Pacific white shrimp during refrigerated storage

Polyphenoloxidase (PPO) from Pacific white shrimp was subjected to Pulsed electric field (PEF) at varying specific energy (54-483 kJ/kg) and pulse number (200-600). PPO activity was decreased as both parameters increased (P < 0.05). Among shrimp treated with PEF, those subjected to PEF-T3 (483 kJ/kg, 600 pulses) had the lower melanosis score than other PEF treatments and the control, packaged in polystyrene trays and wrapped with shrink film, during 10 days of storage at 4 °C (P < 0.05). Highest shear force values were noticed with PEF-T3 treated sample at the end of storage period (day 10) (P < 0.05). Microstructural gaping between shrimp muscle fibers was notably higher in PEF-T3. No protein degradation was observed for all samples, regardless of PEF treatments. Lower mesophilic and psychrophilic microbial counts in shrimp were obtained when PEF-T3 was implemented. After 10 days of storage, higher sensory scores of PEF-T3 treated samples were also attained, as compared to others (P < 0.05). Quality deterioration of shrimp was retarded with the aid of PEF

Ecology and Conservation of Mountain Ungulate in the Western and Trans Himalayas, India

The Western and Trans-Himalayan region of India is home to several unique and threatened mountain ungulates including Kashmir red deer or Hangul, Kashmir Musk deer, Urial, Argali, Tibetan Antelope or Chiru, Tibetan Gazelle, Wild Yak, and Wild Ass that are endemic to this region. However, this ecologically significant and diverse biodiversity is threatened by climate change, habitat degradation, and fragmentation accompanied by overexploitation in the form of poaching. In locations where the ungulates are common, the situation inevitably leads to human-wildlife conflict. All these have caused many wildlife species to become ecologically isolated, reduced in numbers, and in the process of becoming locally extinct. Over the years, I have undertaken extensive surveys to assess the status of 20 ungulate species inhabiting the Himalayan region belonging to four families, namely Bovidae, Cervidae, Equidae, and Moschidea including the eight out of the 10 most highly endangered ungulates in India, which are unique to this region. The results of our findings on the current status, information on the lesser known aspects of ecology, and critical factors determining the population decline, knowledge gaps, conservation threats, and management suggestions are presented in this paper

Antioxidant activity of chloroform extract of Inula Racemosa from Kashmir Himalayas

Antioxidant activity of chloroform extract of root parts of Inula racemosa was evaluated by measuring the scavenging activity of the extract on stable 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) exhibiting an interesting antioxidant profile. The reducing power was determined using a modification of Zou method. Metal chelating activity of the extract was determined at concentrations of 20, 30, 50 and 100 µg/mL, taking citric acid as standard. The extract displayed significant activity

Profile of arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARCV/D) patients presenting with sustained ventricular tachycardia in a tertiary care center

Background: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy /dysplasia (ARVC/D) is a genetic form of cardiomyopathy and is one among the most common causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The aim of our study was to analyze the clinical profile of (ARVC/D) patients presenting with sustained Ventricular Tachycardia (VT).Methods: This single center cohort study evaluated 107 patients who presented with sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in our hospital. After aetiological evaluation of all these patients, 15 patients were found to have ARVC/D as the cause of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) as per the Modified Task Force Criteria. The clinical profile of these patients was observed in detail to enhance our knowledge about this entity in our part of the world.Results: Mean age at presentation was 30 years and 12 patients were males. Nine patients were haemodynamically stable at the time of sustained VT and the rest of patients were haemodynamically unstable. Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) was the most common ECG morphology present in 11 patients. Antiarrhythmic drugs terminated VT in 7 patients. All the 6 patients presenting in a state of haemodynamic instability received DC cardioversion. Mortality occurred in 2 patients during the hospital stay.Conclusions: ARVC/D presenting with sustained VT is an important manifestation of the disease. Males are more commonly affected than females. Haemodynamic instability at the time of presentation carries a poor prognosis

A Brief Survey on Impact of Flood on Children, Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Kashmir Valley

Considerable rainfall raises the water level. When the water level is higher than the conduit bank, the water diverts out from the stream, there will surge. Surges are caused by atmosphere ponders and events that pass on more precipitation to a waste bowl that can be immediately absorbed or secured inside the bowl. Surges can be caused by typical, natural or anthropogenic factors. There are a couple of purposes behind surges and change from region to area. Flood is coming to fruition in view of unprecedented geophysical event to make an astounding danger to human life and property. Surge occurring in thickly populated locale can do most extraordinary mischief to life and property. Country practices and deforestation have altogether changed the condition in whole stream bowls. Passing, disease, harm, expulsion of people and fiscal hardship are the standardconsequences of surge. So the purpose of this examination work is to research the effect of flooding on children, watersanitation and cleanliness

Selection of bilevel image compression methods for reduction of communication energy in wireless vision sensor networks

ABSTRACT Wireless Visual Sensor Network (WVSN) is an emerging field which combines image sensor, on board computation unit, communication component and energy source. Compared to the traditional wireless sensor network, which operates on one dimensional data, such as temperature, pressure values etc., WVSN operates on two dimensional data (images) which requires higher processing power and communication bandwidth. Normally, WVSNs are deployed in areas where installation of wired solutions is not feasible. The energy budget in these networks is limited to the batteries, because of the wireless nature of the application. Due to the limited availability of energy, the processing at Visual Sensor Nodes (VSN) and communication from VSN to server should consume as low energy as possible. Transmission of raw images wirelessly consumes a lot of energy and requires higher communication bandwidth. Data compression methods reduce data efficiently and hence will be effective in reducing communication cost in WVSN. In this paper, we have compared the compression efficiency and complexity of six well known bi-level image compression methods. The focus is to determine the compression algorithms which can efficiently compress bi-level images and their computational complexity is suitable for computational platform used in WVSNs. These results can be used as a road map for selection of compression methods for different sets of constraints in WVSN

Origin and Fundamentals of Perovskite Solar Cells

In the last few decades, the energy demand has been increased dramatically. Different forms of energy have utilized to fulfill the energy requirements. Solar energy has been proven an effective and highly efficient energy source which has the potential to fulfill the energy requirements in the future. Previously, various kind of solar cells have been developed. In 2013, organic–inorganic metal halide perovskite materials have emerged as a rising star in the field of photovoltaics. The methyl ammonium lead halide perovskite structures were employed as visible light sensitizer for the development of highly efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In 2018, the highest power conversion efficiency of 23.7% was achieved for methyl ammonium lead halide based PSCs. This obtained highest power conversion efficiency makes them superior over other solar cells. The PSCs can be employed for practical uses, if their long term stability improved by utilizing some novel strategies. In this chapter, we have discussed the optoelectronic properties of the perovskite materials, construction of PSCs and recent advances in the electron transport layers for the fabrication of PSCs

Dermatophytosis in patients referred for evaluation at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kashmir, India

Background: Dermatophytoses invade the stratum corneum of the skin and other keratinized tissues derived from the epidermis. They are quite common and can be fairly accurately identified by a simple laboratory test. We conducted this study to identify the common dermatophytic infections in our setting.Methods: Clinically suspected tinea infections were referred to the Department of Microbiology of SKIMS Medical College Hospital, a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Srinagar, Kashmir. The affected area was cleaned with 70% alcohol, and scrapings were obtained. 10% KOH was used for keratinolysis. Samples were thoroughly examined for the presence of filamentous, septate, branched hyphae.Results: A total of 206 samples were analyzed. The overall KOH positivity rate was 44.7%. Of the 206 patients, 119 (57.8%) were males, and 142 (68.9%) resided in rural areas. The mean age of the patients was 32 years (range 4-72). Tinea corporis was the typical clinical manifestation (58.3%).Conclusions: Young and middle-aged males and people living in rural areas are at a higher risk of dermatophyte infections

Role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy in haemoptysis: an analysis of 157 patients

Background: Objectives of this study were to define the role of fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) in determining the etiology of haemoptysis, to determine whether bronchoscopy is useful in haemoptysis with normal chest x-ray, to determine whether early bronchoscopy is better than delayed bronchoscopy.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 157 patients who presented with hemoptysis to the Department of Tuberculosis and Chest diseases. All these patients underwent FOB after taking proper history and examination and ruling out any contraindication to the procedure.Results: In patients with haemoptysis with normal CXR, a diagnosis was established in 54.5% by FOB while 38.6% had a normal bronchoscopy. An endoscopic diagnosis of bronchitis was made in 22.7% patients. In only 9.1% patients an endobronchial mass was seen on bronchoscopy, and all of them were more than 40 years of age. Active bleeding/bleeding site was localized in 18.1% patients. In patients with abnormal chest roentgenogram who underwent FOB, a definitive diagnosis was established in 75.4% cases with active bleeding/ bleeding site localized in 59.6%. Thirty five percent were having an endobronchial mass. Of all the patients who underwent FOB for recurrent haemoptysis, active bleeding/bleeding site was localized in 48.4% patients. Bleeding site was localized in 62.9% patients who underwent early FOB, while the yield was lower (29.4%) in patients who underwent delayed FOB.Conclusions: Fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is an important and useful investigation in patients of haemoptysis in determining the bleeding site and etiology of haemoptysis. Early FOB has higher yield in localizing the bleeding site than delayed FOB.