Energy access is needed to maintain health during pandemics

Energy plays a central role in responding to emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, from ensuring adequate healthcare services to supporting households during lockdowns. Protecting the renewable energy industry and its contribution to providing sustainable energy access for all must be an urgent priority in the current crisis

Customers preference of online store visit strategies: An investigation of demographic variables

10.1057/ejis.2010.32European Journal of Information Systems193344-35

Generation of Crystal-Structure Transverse Patterns via a Self-Frequency-Doubling Laser

Two-dimensional (2D) visible crystal-structure patterns analogous to the quantum harmonic oscillator (QHO) have been experimentally observed in the near- and far-fields of a self-frequency-doubling (SFD) microchip laser. Different with the fundamental modes, the localization of the SFD light is changed with the propagation. Calculation based on Hermite-Gaussian (HG) functions and second harmonic generation theory reproduces well the patterns both in the near- and far-field which correspond to the intensity distribution in coordinate and momentum spaces, respectively. Considering the analogy of wave functions of the transverse HG mode and 2D harmonic oscillator, we propose that the simple monolithic SFD lasers can be used for developing of new materials and devices and testing 2D quantum mechanical theories

Fields on fire: Alternatives to crop residue burning in India.

Farmer profit can be increased and air quality improve

Dominant control of agriculture and irrigation on urban heat island in India

As is true in many regions, India experiences surface Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect that is well understood, but the causes of the more recently discovered Urban Cool Island (UCI) effect remain poorly constrained. This raises questions about our fundamental understanding of the drivers of rural-urban environmental gradients and hinders development of effective strategies for mitigation and adaptation to projected heat stress increases in rapidly urbanizing India. Here we show that more than 60% of Indian urban areas are observed to experience a day-time UCI. We use satellite observations and the Community Land Model (CLM) to identify the impact of irrigation and prove for the first time that UCI is caused by lack of vegetation and moisture in non-urban areas relative to cities. In contrast, urban areas in extensively irrigated landscapes generally experience the expected positive UHI effect. At night, UHI warming intensifies, occurring across a majority (90%) of India's urban areas. The magnitude of rural-urban temperature contrasts is largely controlled by agriculture and moisture availability from irrigation, but further analysis of model results indicate an important role for atmospheric aerosols. Thus both land-use decisions and aerosols are important factors governing, modulating, and even reversing the expected urban-rural temperature gradients.by Rahul Kumar, Vimal Mishra, Jonathan Buzan, Rohini Kumar, Drew Shindell and Matthew Hube

Assessment of Perceived Risk in Mobile Travel Booking

Considering the increasing prevalence of smartphones in travel experiences, a relatively low level of mobile booking for travel products suggests the importance of understanding the perceived risk that inhibits mobile consumption behaviours among travellers. Based on responses from an online panel, this study identified the multidimensional facets of perceived risk associated with mobile travel booking, which include time risk, financial risk, performance risk, security risk, psychological risk, physical risk, and device risk. Further, it was identified that there are antecedents that contribute positively (i.e., collection of personal information) and negatively (i.e., consumer innovativeness, trust, and visibility) to perceived risk. Finally, this research estimated the effects of perceived risk on behavioural outcomes, including perceived usefulness, attitudes, and booking intentions. Implications to alleviate or reduce perceived risks are provided