Vanadium oxide anchored MWCNTs nanostructure for superior symmetric electrochemical supercapacitors

Proper selection of electrode material with sensible scheme is definitely significant to dodge commercial obstacles of supercapacitors. This challenge has been addressed by engineering prototype symmetric supercapacitor (SSC) device fabricated with enhanced supercapacitive vanadium (V) oxide integrated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite as electrode material with Li-ion associating LiClO4 electrolyte. The V2O5/MWCNTs composite with nanoscale architecture has been synthesized with inexpensive and simple chemical bath deposition (CBD) method. The cyclic voltammetry of SSC device has exhibited the involvement of electrochemically active reversible redox process in the composite. The specific capacitance of 569.7 F/g at scan rate of 2 mV/s including excellent electrochemical stability of 89.2% at 4000 CV cycles have been achieved with operating potential window of 2 V. Furthermore, the device exhibits excellent energy density of 62 Wh/kg and exceptional power density of 11.5 kW/kg. The low resistive factors have driven the device towards the potential application as glowing of red LED for 10 s

Impact of a financial incentive scheme on purchase of fruits and vegetables from unorganised retailers in rural India: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background: Inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables is prevalent in rural areas of India, where around 65% of the population reside. Financial incentives have been shown to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables in urban supermarkets, but their feasibility and effectiveness with unorganised retailers in rural India is unclear. Methods: A cluster-randomised controlled trial of a financial incentive scheme involving ∼20% cashback on purchase of fruits and vegetables from local retailers was conducted in six villages (3535 households). All households in three intervention villages were invited to participate in the scheme which ran for three months (February–April 2021), while no intervention was offered in control villages. Self-reported (pre-intervention and post-intervention) data on purchase of fruits and vegetables were collected from a random sub-sample of households in control and intervention villages. Findings: A total of 1109 households (88% of those invited) provided data. After the intervention, the weekly quantity of self-reported fruits and vegetables purchased were (i) 18.6 kg (intervention) and 14.2 kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 4 kg (95% CI: −6.4 to 14.4) from any retailer (primary outcome); and (ii) 13.1 kg (intervention) and 7.1 kg (control), baseline-adjusted mean difference 7.4 kg (95% CI: 3.8–10.9) from local retailers participating in the scheme (secondary outcome). There was no evidence of differential effects of the intervention by household food security or by socioeconomic position, and no unintended adverse consequences were noted. Interpretation: Financial incentive schemes are feasible in unorganised food retail environments. Effectiveness in improving diet quality of the household likely hinges on the percentage of retailers willing to participate in such a scheme. Funding: This research has been funded by the Drivers of Food Choice (DFC) Competitive Grants Program, which is funded by the UK Government's Department for International Development and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managed by the University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, USA; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK Government's official policies

Process evaluation of a financial incentive scheme to increase fruit and vegetable purchasing from unorganised retailers in rural Telangana, India

Objective: To evaluate a randomised controlled trial of a financial incentive scheme (coupon providing ∼20% cashback on purchase of fruits and vegetables from village vendors) aimed at increasing the purchase of fruits and vegetables from unorganised retailers in rural India. Design: The process evaluation used a mixed-methods approach, incorporating semi-structured interviews, routine coupon use data, repeat fruit and vegetable purchase and sales surveys, an end-line survey, and examination of study documentation. Setting: Six rural villages, Telangana, India. Participants: Intervention village residents (maximum N=1,719), fruit and vegetable vendors (N=36), local stakeholders (N=5), intervention implementors (N=3). Results: Share of households reaching the fruit and vegetable purchase target (and receiving the cashback) increased steadily from 13% to 42% across the 12-week trial period. Fruit and vegetable purchasing data suggest that households increased fruit and vegetable purchasing to receive the cashback, and households reported using the cash to purchase additional fruits and vegetables (42% and 73%, respectively). Unexpected consequences included community members’ efforts to receive the cashback without purchasing the target amount of fruits and vegetables, changes in shopping patterns, entry of new vendors into the local market, and potential reductions in vendor sales. Lower socioeconomic position (SEP) households reported using the intervention more and participants felt the intervention was most useful for lower SEP households. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the potential of even small financial incentives for changing healthy dietary-related behaviours. However, in unorganised retail settings, care should be taken to ensure that such interventions benefit both consumers and sellers

Impact of climate change at species level: a case study of teak in India

Adaptive capacity, Climate change, Impact modelling, Plantation forests, Teak (Tectona grandis), Species-level analysis, India,