Universality in Intensity Modulated Photocurrent in Bulk-Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cells

We observe a universal feature in the frequency dependence of intensity modulated photocurrent Iph based on studies of a variety of efficient bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cells (BHJ-PSCs). This feature of Iph appears in the form of a local maximum in the 5 kHz < frequency < 10 kHz range and is observed to be largely independent of the external parameters such as modulated light intensity (Lac), wavelength, temperature (T), and external field (EF) over a wide range. Simplistic kinetic models involving carrier generation, recombination and extraction processes are used to interpret the overall essential features of Iph and correlate it to the device parameters

The noise properties of stochastic processes and entropy production

Based on a Fokker-Planck description of external Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise and cross-correlated noise processes driving a dynamical system we examine the interplay of the properties of noise processes and the dissipative characteristic of the dynamical system in the steady state entropy production and flux. Our analysis is illustrated with appropriate examples.Comment: RevTex, 1 figure, To appear in Phys. Rev.

Effect of cultivars and seed size on field performance of potato micro-tubers in North Eastern Himalayan region in India

The present study was carried out at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong during 2013 and 2014 to assess the growth and yield performance of three grades of in-vitro produced micro-tubers viz. &gt;8 mm, 4-8 mm and &lt;4 mm of two potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars namely Kufri Girdhari and Kufri Megha under field planting conditions. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with four replications using a common spacing of 50 × 20 cm. The larger grade micro-tubers generally exhibited better physiological growth as well as yield parameters. The larger sized micro-tuber (&gt;8 mm) showed significantly superior plant survival, canopy cover, plant height, number of compound leaves per plant, number of stems per plant and plant vigour followed by 4-8 mm grade and &lt;4 mm grade micro-tubers. Similar trend was observed for all the yield parameters. Among varieties, Kufri Girdhari out performed Kufri Megha in all the growth and yield parameters in all the micro-tuber grades. Thus both micro-tuber size and genotype influenced the field performance. The overall finding indicates that micro-tubers irrespective of the size for both the varieties can produce mini-tubers successfully under direct field conditions in the NEH region which will facilitate quality seed production

Effect of resources and capabilities for integrating Industry 4.0 and sustainable production to unlock circular economy : a South African experience

Abstract: The study aspires to develop a theoretical model linking Industry 4.0 and cleaner production to unlock circular economy in an emerging economy of South Africa. Drawing upon Resource based view theory; the study aims to explore the firm resources and capabilities that are necessary to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies and sustainable production to further enhance circular economy performance and secondly, to investigate the impact of each research and capabilities on circular economy performance and finally, to outline agenda for ethical business development. The review of literature led to identification of thirty-five resources and capabilities that are essential for the integration of Industry 4.0 and sustainable production that will aid in unlocking circular economy. Further, exploratory factor analysis is used to group the variables under relevant factors and thereafter path modelling is performed using PLS-SEM technique. Research findings indicate that Project resources, Green team resources, Technological resources, Production and operations capabilities, Human resources capabilities, Management capabilities, Circularity capabilities, Information technology capabilities and Relationship capabilities are required for integration of I4.0 and sustainable production and further enhance CE performance. However, the Technological resources, Production and Operations capabilities and Circularity capabilities are found to have a stronger relationship with CE performance compared to rest of the resources and capabilities. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications and agenda for ethical business developments

Indian genetic disease database

Indians, representing about one-sixth of the world population, consist of several thousands of endogamous groups with strong potential for excess of recessive diseases. However, no database is available on Indian population with comprehensive information on the diseases common in the country. To address this issue, we present Indian Genetic Disease Database (IGDD) release 1.0 (http://www.igdd.iicb.res.in)—an integrated and curated repository of growing number of mutation data on common genetic diseases afflicting the Indian populations. Currently the database covers 52 diseases with information on 5760 individuals carrying the mutant alleles of causal genes. Information on locus heterogeneity, type of mutation, clinical and biochemical data, geographical location and common mutations are furnished based on published literature. The database is currently designed to work best with Internet Explorer 8 (optimal resolution 1440 × 900) and it can be searched based on disease of interest, causal gene, type of mutation and geographical location of the patients or carriers. Provisions have been made for deposition of new data and logistics for regular updation of the database. The IGDD web portal, planned to be made freely available, contains user-friendly interfaces and is expected to be highly useful to the geneticists, clinicians, biologists and patient support groups of various genetic diseases

Productivity, profitability and resource use efficiency of potato (Solanum tuberosum) based cropping systems in eastern Himalayan region

A field experiment was conducted during three consecutive years of 2011 to 2013 at Central Potato Research Station, Shillong to evaluate the economic feasibility of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) based cropping system under rainfed condition of eastern Himalayan region. There were seven cropping systems replicated thrice under randomized block design. The potato was the main crop during summer season while succeeding seven crops (potato, maize, cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, rajmash and radish) were taken during autumn season. Results revealed that potato based various cropping sequence differ significantly for most of the desirable parameters which decided the economic viability to adopt the system approach for efficient utilization of natural resources. Among the cropping systems, potato-cabbage recorded significantly the highest potato tuber equivalent yield (51.6 tonnes/ha), production efficiency (210.5 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rupees 1414.6 /ha/day), maximum net monetary return (Rupees 366.8 x 103/ha), benefit cost ratio (3.5) and energy productivity (1.35 kg/MJ). Hence, potato-cabbage was concluded as the most stable and profitable cropping system for the ecosystem of eastern Himalayan region

Experiencing space–time: the stretched lifeworlds of migrant workers in India

In the relatively rare instances when the spatialities of temporary migrant work, workers’ journeys, and labour-market negotiations have been the subject of scholarly attention, there has been little work that integrates time into the analysis. Building on a case study of low-paid and insecure migrant manual workers in the context of rapid economic growth in India, we examine both material and subjective dimensions of these workers’ spatiotemporal experiences. What does it mean to live life stretched out, multiplyattached to places across national space? What kinds of place attachments emerge for people temporarily sojourning in, rather than moving to, new places to reside and work? Our analysis of the spatiotemporalities of migrant workers’ experiences in India suggests that, over time, this group of workers use their own agency to seek to avoid the experience of humiliation and indignity in employment relations. Like David Harvey, we argue that money needs to be integrated into such analysis, along with space and time. The paper sheds light on processes of exclusion, inequality and diff erentiation, unequal power geometries, and social topographies that contrast with neoliberalist narratives of ‘Indian shining