Abstract
The intercropping of legumes with cereals help to achieve sustainable intensification by their mutual complementarity at efficiently using radiation, nutrients, etc. Several studies ...indicated such beneficial effects on the other component crop however, little research has been conducted to quantify their effects on the subsequent crop in a cropping system. In this study, the effect of the legume intercropping on the entire cropping system, particularly the maize + legume-wheat system was studied. Four legumes intercropped to maize followed by wheat crop were studied for intensification measures such as wheat equivalent yield (WEY), land equivalent ratio (LER), sustainable value index (SVI), and economic returns. N saving effect of legumes on the subsequent wheat crop was quantified with two N levels. Maize + cowpea-wheat combination was the most productive and economic intercrop combination (LER = 1.71, SVI = 0.96) with an increase in net economic return (43.63%) with a B:C ratio of 1.94. An additional 25% N (37.5 kg ha
−1
) was saved in the wheat crop when the legume intercropping was undertaken with maize. The results suggest that intercropping is the key to diversification and reduces the risk of crop failures by enhancing land-use efficiency, soil fertility, and economic returns under weather vagaries. This will be beneficial to small and marginal farmers of many countries.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Thin‐film solar cells (TFSCs) are garnering attention for their unstoppable growth as a sustainable energy source as well as their innovations and indispensability. TFSCs' efficiency has ...plateaued, necessitating the development of novel, practical, and inexpensive alternative energy sources. CdTe material lacks the band gap for the top layer. It can still be used as an absorber top layer in tandem photovoltaic cells by forming two new, promising materials, Cd
1–
x
Zn
x
Te (CZT) and Cd
1–
x
Mn
x
Te (CMT). Consequently, CZT and CMT based PV cells have been explored, and an attempt has been made to provide an alternative to cadmuim telluride. After exploring the physical properties of CZT and CMT thin films, CZT and CMT based photovoltaic cells were fabricated using the vacuum evaporation method. Both devices (with low absorber layer thickness, 1.05 µm) showed a power conversion efficiency of 6.67% and 6.11%, respectively. The depletion layer width and dopant densities of both photovoltaic cells were also determined by capacitance–voltage measurements. The quantum efficiencies were measured to identify the specific losses that are causing the measured short circuit current density to deviate from its ideal value. The reproducibility of the devices was also tested, and it is found to be good with an 8–12% deviation.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
A study on impact of post-deposition thermal annealing on the physical properties of CdTe thin films is undertaken in this paper. The thin films of thickness 500nm were grown on ITO and glass ...substrates employing thermal vacuum evaporation followed by post-deposition thermal annealing in air atmosphere within low temperature range 150–350°C. These films were subjected to the XRD, UV‐Vis NIR spectrophotometer, source meter, SEM coupled with EDS and AFM for structural, optical, electrical and surface topographical analysis respectively. The diffraction patterns reveal that the films are having zinc-blende cubic structure with preferred orientation along (111) and polycrystalline in nature. The crystallographic parameters are calculated and discussed in detail. The optical band gap is found in the range 1.48–1.64eV and observed to decrease with thermal annealing. The current–voltage characteristics show that the CdTe films exhibit linear ohmic behavior. The SEM studies show that the as-grown films are homogeneous, uniform and free from defects. The AFM studies reveal that the surface roughness of films is observed to increase with annealing. The experimental results reveal that the thermal annealing has significant impact on the physical properties of CdTe thin films and may be used as absorber layer to the CdTe/CdS thin films solar cells.
The physical properties of polycrystalline CdTe films are investigated with thermal annealing treatment and results indicate that annealed films may be used as absorber layer in CdTe solar cells.
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•The CdTe films have zinc-blende structure with preferred orientation (111).•Optical band gap is found to decrease from 1.64 eV to 1.48 eV with thermal annealing.•The as-grown films are uniform, homogeneous and free from crystal defects.•The surface roughness is increased with annealing temperature.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Micronutrient deficiency, also known as "hidden hunger," is an increasingly serious global challenge to humankind. Among the mineral elements, Fe (Iron) and Zn (Zinc) have earned recognition as ...micronutrients of outstanding and diverse biological relevance, as well as of clinical importance to global public health. The inherently low Fe and Zn content and poor bioavailability in cereal grains seems to be at the root of these mineral nutrient deficiencies, especially in the developing world where cereal-based diets are the most important sources of calories. The emerging physiological and molecular understanding of the uptake of Fe and Zn and their translocation in cereal grains regrettably also indicates accumulation of other toxic metals, with chemically similar properties, together with these mineral elements. This review article emphasizes breeding to develop bioavailable Fe- and Zn-efficient cereal cultivars to overcome malnutrition while minimizing the risks of toxic metals. We attempt to critically examine the genetic diversity regarding these nutritionally important traits as well as the progress in terms of quantitative genetics. We sought to integrate findings from the rhizosphere with Fe and Zn accumulation in grain, and to discuss the promoters as well as the anti-nutritional factors affecting Fe and Zn bioavailability in humans while restricting the content of toxic metals.
Background
In recent years, innovation in healthcare technology has significantly improved the efficiency of the healthcare system. Advancements have led to better patient care and more ...cost-effective services. The electronic medical record (EMR) system, in particular, has enhanced interoperability and collaboration across healthcare departments by facilitating the exchange and utilization of patient data. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend, leading to a surge in telemedicine services, which rely on electronic communication to deliver healthcare remotely.
Main body
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in healthcare have been instrumental in analyzing vast data sets, allowing for identifying patterns and trends that can improve care delivery and pinpoint potential issues. The proposal of a unified EMR system in the USA aims to capitalize on these technological advancements. Such a system would streamline the sharing of patient information among healthcare providers, improve the quality and efficiency of care, and minimize the likelihood of errors in patient treatment.
Conclusion
A unified electronic medical record system represents a promising avenue for enhancing interoperability within the US healthcare sector. By creating a more connected and accessible network of patient information, it sets the stage for a transformation in healthcare delivery. This change is imperative for maintaining the momentum of progress in healthcare technology and realizing the full potential of recent advancements in patient care and system efficiency.
Experimental investigations have been carried out for impingement heat transfer characteristics of an enclosed dual swirling flame for various enclosure configurations. Effects of the size of the ...enclosure (D
E
= 70 mm, 90 mm, 90 mm, 110 mm and 150 mm) and the level of gap between the top of the enclosure and the target surface (G = 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28 mm) have been examined at fixed other operating conditions (Re(o), H/D
h
and S). In addition to this, the effects of variation in outer swirling flame Reynolds numbers (Re(o) = 7000–13,000), dimensionless separation distances (H/D
h
= 2–5) and the swirl number (S = 0.86, 1.54 and 2.4) have also been examined. Impingement heat transfer characteristics strongly depend on the size of the enclosure (D
E
) and the level of gap (G). Larger sized enclosures (D
E
of 110 and 150 mm) with smaller gap levels (G of 12 and 16 mm) perform much better than small sized enclosures (D
E
of 70 and 80 mm) with larger gap levels (G of 24 and 28 mm). Heat transfer performance continuously increases with an increase in Re(o) in presence of an enclosure in contrast to unenclosed flames where performance deteriorates at high Re(o). The heat transfer enhancement effect in presence of enclosure is more pronounced at larger separation distances (H/D
h
of 4 and 5) because of the formation of the outer recirculation zone (ORZ). The effect of the presence of enclosure on impingement heat transfer enhancement becomes more significant at higher levels of swirl.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Nowadays, nanorefrigerants have been focused across the globe to improve the heat transfer characteristics of cooling units. Incorporating high thermal conductivity nanoparticles to the conventional ...refrigerants presented broad facts such as increased heat transfer coefficients, improved pool boiling inside closed cycles, enhanced COP, reduced compressor energy consumption of domestic refrigerators, and enhanced heat transfer rate during the two-phase flow of fluids. The present article focused on comprehensive experimental and numerical research reports of nanorefrigerants and nanolubricants. The heat and mass transfer and thermophysical characters such as viscous behavior, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and density have been discussed for various facts like flow condensation of fluids, evaporation, refrigerants pool boiling, and other related processes. The results showed that the volume concentration, diameter, and length of particles have a significant and crucial impact on the heat transfer rate and characteristics of pure refrigerants. Based on the available reports, it can say that the application of nanoparticles in pure refrigerants may enhance its features by about 50 – 60%. Further, the proposed correlations available in the literature for nanorefrigerants have been well discussed.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
An experiment was conducted at Department of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2015–16 and 2016–17 to study the impact of elevated CO2 on functional response of ...wolf spider, Pardosa pseudoannulata (Boesenberg and Strand, 1906) against brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stal, 1854) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Spider feeding rate on BPH was higher in jar arena compared to microcosm arena both under ambient CO2 and elevated CO2 conditions. Regression of number of attacked prey (1/Ha) upon prey density per unit area (H) over time duration of experiment (T) in microcosm and in jar arena under ambient and elevated CO2 revealed type II functional response. Attack rate, maximum attack rate and efficiency parameters were higher and handling time was lower in both jar arena and microcosm under elevated CO2 condition compared to ambient CO2 condition. Simultaneously, predators might have consumed more number of preys due to their poor nutrient quality under elevated CO2 compared to ambient CO2. It was revealed that with increase of predator density within the same prey density in same area under both ambient and elevated CO2 conditions, the prey control might have optimized. This information generated would support the planthopper management by regulating predator number for increased predator efficiency.
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