Nonmarket Valuations of Accidental Oil Spills: A Survey of Economic and Legal Principles

This paper presents an overview of legal and economic theories used to assess liability and damages for loss of nonmarket goods arising from an accidental oil spill. Several different economic methods used for quantifying values are discussed and critiqued. Also reviewed are the fundamental legal doctrines that permit individuals and public agencies to seek compensation for these damages. To illustrate the applicability of these economic and legal theories, two case studies arc presented and evaluated in terms of the principles presented earlier.Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty,

Observability of hysteresis in first-order equilibrium and nonequilibrium phase transitions

The general conditions under which a system undergoing a first-order phase transition will exhibit hysteresis behavior, rather than simple jump behavior, are obtained. These are expressed in terms of the intrinsic time scales of the system and the time scale of variation of the control parameter. The size of the critical region is estimated. Estimates of the characteristic times are made for some equilibrium and nonequilibrium systems to show hysteresis behavior

Radiation-induced bistability in Josephson junctions

It is predicted that a nonequilibrium first-order phase transition analogous to optical bistability can occur when external coherent radiation is applied to a suitably prepared Josephson junction with an external resistance across it. The size of the hysteresis region can be tuned by varying the resistance

Nonequilibrium phase transition in a radiation-driven Josephson junction

We predict that a nonequilibrium phase transition, analogous to optical bistability, occurs when coherent radiation is applied to an unbiased Josephson junction with an external resistance across it. The order parameter is the self-consistently developed dc voltage, and the drive parameter is the applied radiation intensity. The order parameter exhibits jump and hysteresis behavior characteristic of a first-order phase transition. The size of the hysteresis region can be tuned by varying the resistance. An approach based on the Fokker-Planck equation is adopted. The extremum of the stationary probability yields the self-consistency equation for the mean-field order parameter. Relaxation and decay times are calculated, the decay times being identified with the first passage time. Estimates of parameters show that the bistable regime could be experimentally accessible

Exponent behavior at a dissipative phase transition of a driven Josephson junction

Static and dynamic critical exponents and a set of spinodal exponents are calculated within a mean-field approximation for the case of a driven Josephson junction undergoing a nonequilibrium phase transition. These universal exponents obey the exponent relations obtained from scaling-for-equilibrium phase transitions. The exponents are directly related to experimental observables such as the junction voltage, its noise bandwidth, and the Josephson radiation linewidth

EVALUTION OF ANTIARTHRITIC ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF PERGULARIA DAEMIA [FORSK] PLANT IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Objective: Pergularia daemia [Forsk] has been used from the long time in traditional medicine. The main objective of this work is to evaluate anti-rheumatic activity of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] Methods: Anti- arthritic activity of petroleum ether and methanol extracts of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] was evaluated by using Freund's complete adjuvant model. Results: Preliminary Phytochemical investigation of Petroleum ether extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] shows presence of steroids, terpenoids, sterols while methanolic extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] shows presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic component. The petroleum ether and methanol extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [300 mg/kg] shows an improvement in arthritis condition by reducing hind paw inflammation. Conclusion: The methanolic extract was found to be more potent than petroleum ether extract. The result indicates that the petroleum ether and methanol extract contain such phytochemical constituents which are responsible for analgesic and anti-rheumatic activity

EVALUTION OF ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACTS OF PERGULARIA DAEMIA [FORSK] IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Objective: Pergularia daemia [Forsk] has been used from long time in traditional medicine. The main objective of this work is to evaluate analgesic activity of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] Methods: Analgesic activity of petroleum ether and methanol extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] was evaluated by using Eddy's hot plate and tail immersion method. Results: Preliminary Phytochemical investigation of Petroleum ether extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] shows presence of steroids, terpenoids, sterols while methanolic extract of leaf of Pergularia daemia [Forsk] shows presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic component. The petroleum ether extract [300 mg/kg] shows delayed action in paw licking as well as in jumping whereas in the tail immersion method there was delayed time taken for flicking of tail out of water was recorded. Conclusion: The methanol extract was found to be more potent than petroleum ether extract. The result indicate that the petroleum ether and methanol extract contain such Phytochemical constituents which are responsible for analgesic activity

Polaron Self-localization in White-light Emitting Hybrid Perovskites

Two-dimensional (2D) perovskites with general formula $APbX_4$ are attracting increasing interest as solution processable, white-light emissive materials. Recent studies have shown that their broadband emission is related to the formation of intra-gap color centers; however, the nature and dynamics of the emissive species have remained elusive. Here we show that the broadband photoluminescence of the 2D perovskites $(EDBE)PbCl_4$ and $(EDBE)PbBr_4$ stems from the localization of small polarons within the lattice distortion field. Using a combination of spectroscopic techniques and first-principles calculations, we infer the formation of ${Pb_2}^{3+}$, $Pb^{3+}$, and ${X_2}^-$ (where X=Cl or Br) species confined within the inorganic perovskite framework. Due to strong Coulombic interactions, these species retain their original excitonic character and form self-trapped polaron-excitons acting as radiative color centers. These findings are expected to be applicable to a broad class of white-light emitting perovskites with large polaron relaxation energy.Comment: 34 pages, 15 figures, 3 table

Modern Feedback System: A Survey

The Feedback given by the stake holders about the current state of performance of any organization is essential for its growth. It provides vital information, which can be used to improve performance. In this way it provides motivation and fuels the continual improvement process. In business, it helps to deliver the best customer experiences. It forms the backbone of success of any institution or individual. It also forms the crust of good supervision in any organization. Feedback system initially started with raising hands, saying yes or no, then it evolved into answering questions through feedback forms, suggestion boxes etc. With the evolution in internet technology, it has now changed into web based, app based feedback systems etc. This paper explains different feedback systems that are currently in use and also explains about advantages and disadvantages of these systems. DOI: 10.17762/ijritcc2321-8169.16047

Computational Study of Halide Perovskite-Derived A2_2BX6_6 Inorganic Compounds: Chemical Trends in Electronic Structure and Structural Stability

The electronic structure and energetic stability of A$_2$BX$_6$ halide compounds with the cubic and tetragonal variants of the perovskite-derived K$_2$PtCl$_6$ prototype structure are investigated computationally within the frameworks of density-functional-theory (DFT) and hybrid (HSE06) functionals. The HSE06 calculations are undertaken for seven known A$_2$BX$_6$ compounds with A = K, Rb and Cs, and B = Sn, Pd, Pt, Te, and X = I. Trends in band gaps and energetic stability are identified, which are explored further employing DFT calculations over a larger range of chemistries, characterized by A = K, Rb, Cs, B = Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Ni, Pd, Pt, Se and Te and X = Cl, Br, I. For the systems investigated in this work, the band gap increases from iodide to bromide to chloride. Further, variations in the A site cation influences the band gap as well as the preferred degree of tetragonal distortion. Smaller A site cations such as K and Rb favor tetragonal structural distortions, resulting in a slightly larger band gap. For variations in the B site in the (Ni, Pd, Pt) group and the (Se, Te) group, the band gap increases with increasing cation size. However, no observed chemical trend with respect to cation size for band gap was found for the (Si, Sn, Ge, Pb) group. The findings in this work provide guidelines for the design of halide A$_2$BX$_6$ compounds for potential photovoltaic applications