The first-ever bird census
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Panaji: The first-ever bird census has recorded 144 bird species and 9,992 birds across Goa’s 23 wetlands which includes four vulnerable and five near-threatened species, according to experts. A first of its kind wetland bird census called the All Goa Waterfowl Count (AGWC) was conducted by the Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN) in association with BirdCount India (BCI) in two phases, on January 18, 2015 covering North Goa district and January 25, 2015 covering South Goa district.
The aim of the AGWC- 2015 was to conduct census of wetland birds at all wetlands of major importance in the state simultaneously, a press release said here. Teams comprising of expert birders and volunteers covered important wetlands in the two districts of the state conducting total bird counts on both the days.
This exercise resulted in a total of 36 birders making 22 hours of observations throughout the state (15.5 hours in North Goa and 6.5 hours in South Goa). All the data generated during the census has been uploaded on eBird, an international bird data repository platform and is available for wider community to access. A total of 144 species of birds were reported from the wetlands and 9922 individual birds were counted.
Total 16 wetlands in North Goa district and seven in South Goa district were covered on both the days. During the census, nine threatened species (4 vulnerable and 5 near-threatened) of birds have been reported from the state.
The Carambolim-Dhado Wetland complex was found to have good species diversity with the team lead by Pronoy Baidya reporting 85 species, while Navelim Wetland in Bicholim Taluka was found to hold a good population of birds with the team lead by Harshada Gauns recording 2238 individuals, the release said. The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) and Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) were found to be the most common resident birds of wetlands across the state, with these species being reported from 19 of the 23 wetlands surveyed.
Among the migratory birds, the raptor Eurasian Marsh-Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) was recorded from 12 of the 23 wetlands surveyed while the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) seems to have a good population with more than 1000 individuals reported just from Navelim Wetland and their population was found distributed in all major wetlands in Goa.
The aim of the AGWC- 2015 was to conduct census of wetland birds at all wetlands of major importance in the state simultaneously, a press release said here. Teams comprising of expert birders and volunteers covered important wetlands in the two districts of the state conducting total bird counts on both the days.
This exercise resulted in a total of 36 birders making 22 hours of observations throughout the state (15.5 hours in North Goa and 6.5 hours in South Goa). All the data generated during the census has been uploaded on eBird, an international bird data repository platform and is available for wider community to access. A total of 144 species of birds were reported from the wetlands and 9922 individual birds were counted.
Total 16 wetlands in North Goa district and seven in South Goa district were covered on both the days. During the census, nine threatened species (4 vulnerable and 5 near-threatened) of birds have been reported from the state.
The Carambolim-Dhado Wetland complex was found to have good species diversity with the team lead by Pronoy Baidya reporting 85 species, while Navelim Wetland in Bicholim Taluka was found to hold a good population of birds with the team lead by Harshada Gauns recording 2238 individuals, the release said. The Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) and Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) were found to be the most common resident birds of wetlands across the state, with these species being reported from 19 of the 23 wetlands surveyed.
Among the migratory birds, the raptor Eurasian Marsh-Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) was recorded from 12 of the 23 wetlands surveyed while the Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) seems to have a good population with more than 1000 individuals reported just from Navelim Wetland and their population was found distributed in all major wetlands in Goa.
UNSC endorses new cease-fire on Ukraine crisis
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United Nations: The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing measures for the implementation of the new truce on Ukraine crisis. In the Russian-drafted resolution, the Council Tuesday reaffirmed “its full respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” and expressed “its grave concern at the tragic events and violence in eastern regions of Ukraine,” Xinhua reported.
The 15-nation body endorsed the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements”, adopted Feb 12 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and called for full implementation of the measures, including “a comprehensive ceasefire” as provided for therein. It also stressed that the resolution of the situation in eastern Ukraine “can only be achieved through a peaceful settlement to the current crisis.”
The resolution was adopted shortly after the Council issued a statement to the press on Ukraine, urging all parties to immediately cease hostilities. The Ukraine crisis began to deteriorate in late February 2014 when it evolved from an initial internal political crisis into violent clashes in parts of the country. It later reached full- scale conflict in the east. Despite an earlier Minsk cease-fire struck in September last year, the situation in Ukraine has since continuously deteriorated. The latest peace agreement was reached after negotiations between leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France Thursday in Minsk, aimed at ending the conflict which has claimed the lives of more than 5,300 people so far.
The 15-nation body endorsed the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk Agreements”, adopted Feb 12 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, and called for full implementation of the measures, including “a comprehensive ceasefire” as provided for therein. It also stressed that the resolution of the situation in eastern Ukraine “can only be achieved through a peaceful settlement to the current crisis.”
The resolution was adopted shortly after the Council issued a statement to the press on Ukraine, urging all parties to immediately cease hostilities. The Ukraine crisis began to deteriorate in late February 2014 when it evolved from an initial internal political crisis into violent clashes in parts of the country. It later reached full- scale conflict in the east. Despite an earlier Minsk cease-fire struck in September last year, the situation in Ukraine has since continuously deteriorated. The latest peace agreement was reached after negotiations between leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France Thursday in Minsk, aimed at ending the conflict which has claimed the lives of more than 5,300 people so far.
DBT is direct benefit to govt
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Food security, DBT, Direct benefit transfer DBT would also stem pilferage in the PDS, better target the intended beneficiaries, offer them more choices to use the subsidy amount and boost discretionary spending. (Reuters)
Direct benefit transfer (DBT) can help the government save as much as Rs 25,000 crore, or 20%, in food subsidy expenditure in 2015-16 if two-thirds of the country’s population is targeted, as proposed in the national food security Act, according to a report by Crisil Research, reports fe Bureau in New Delhi.
The report assumes that if the extant public distribution system is bolstered as per the food security law, the food subsidy bill in 2015-16 would be R1,21,908 crore, factoring in a 3-4% increase in the benchmark prices of wheat and paddy, while the complete roll-out of DBT could reduce the subsidy level to R97,180 crore by eliminating costs associated with procuring, distributing and storing grains.
Terming it a “game changer”, the report said DBT would also stem pilferage in the PDS, better target the intended beneficiaries, offer them more choices to use the subsidy amount and boost discretionary spending.
Food-procurement
Thus, DBT would fit into the concept of “Pareto improvement” — a development that hurts none and helps at least one person, and many over time, in the economy, it added.
Crisil also said the economic cost of grains sold through the PDS has been nearly twice the minimum support price (MSP) in the case of rice and almost 1.5 times the MSP for wheat, thanks to high incidentals of procurement.
Food-subsidy
Even after considering the conversion of paddy into rice, the economic costs would still be much higher than the paddy MSP. PDS leakages, too, have touched 46.7% at the all-India level, as showed by the Shanta Kumar-led panel, while a private study by Jean Dreze and Reetika Khera puts this number at 41.7%.
Importantly, with DBT, a poor family of five that is otherwise eligible to avail of food subsidy but doesn’t have access to the PDS due to various reasons, including absence of ration cards, could get as much as R5,800 in 2015-16, which is higher than the total annual expenditure (food and non-food) of the poorest 5% of rural households.
Direct benefit transfer (DBT) can help the government save as much as Rs 25,000 crore, or 20%, in food subsidy expenditure in 2015-16 if two-thirds of the country’s population is targeted, as proposed in the national food security Act, according to a report by Crisil Research, reports fe Bureau in New Delhi.
The report assumes that if the extant public distribution system is bolstered as per the food security law, the food subsidy bill in 2015-16 would be R1,21,908 crore, factoring in a 3-4% increase in the benchmark prices of wheat and paddy, while the complete roll-out of DBT could reduce the subsidy level to R97,180 crore by eliminating costs associated with procuring, distributing and storing grains.
Terming it a “game changer”, the report said DBT would also stem pilferage in the PDS, better target the intended beneficiaries, offer them more choices to use the subsidy amount and boost discretionary spending.
Food-procurement
Thus, DBT would fit into the concept of “Pareto improvement” — a development that hurts none and helps at least one person, and many over time, in the economy, it added.
Crisil also said the economic cost of grains sold through the PDS has been nearly twice the minimum support price (MSP) in the case of rice and almost 1.5 times the MSP for wheat, thanks to high incidentals of procurement.
Food-subsidy
Even after considering the conversion of paddy into rice, the economic costs would still be much higher than the paddy MSP. PDS leakages, too, have touched 46.7% at the all-India level, as showed by the Shanta Kumar-led panel, while a private study by Jean Dreze and Reetika Khera puts this number at 41.7%.
Importantly, with DBT, a poor family of five that is otherwise eligible to avail of food subsidy but doesn’t have access to the PDS due to various reasons, including absence of ration cards, could get as much as R5,800 in 2015-16, which is higher than the total annual expenditure (food and non-food) of the poorest 5% of rural households.
New laser technique to hunt for Earth-like planets
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The hunt for Earth-like planets around distant stars could soon become a lot easier, thanks to a new laser technique developed by researchers in Germany.
The technique will allow a spectral analysis of distant stars with unprecedented accuracy, as well as advance research in other areas of astrophysics, such as detailed observations of the Sun and the measurement of the accelerating universe by observing distant quasars, researchers said.
Researchers successfully demonstrated how a solar telescope can be combined with laser frequency comb (LFC) - a tool for measuring the colour or frequency of light.
LFC has been responsible for generating some of the most precise measurements ever made. An LFC is created by a laser that emits continuous pulses of light, containing millions of different colours, often spanning almost the entire visible spectrum.
When the different colours are separated based on their individual frequencies - the speed with which that particular light wave oscillates - they form a “comb-like” graph with finely spaced lines, or “teeth,” representing the individual frequencies.
This “comb” can then be used as a “ruler” to precisely measure the frequency of light from a wide range of sources, such as lasers, atoms or stars.
The researchers, from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, the Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics and the University Observatory Munich, performed an analysis on the Sun by combining sunlight from a solar telescope in Tenerife with the light of an LFC.
Both sources of light were injected into a single optical fibre which then delivered the light to a spectrograph for analysis.
The researchers envisage using the new technique to not only study the star at the centre of our solar system, but stars much further away from us, particularly to find Earth-like planets that may be orbiting around them.
When a planet orbits a star, the star does not stay completely stationary, but instead moves in a very small circle or ellipse.
When viewed from a distance, these slight changes in speed cause the star’s light spectrum to change - a process known as a Doppler shift.
The researchers believe that an LFC would allow them to measure these Doppler shifts much more accurately and therefore increase the chances of spotting Earth-sized, habitable planets.
The study was published in the Institute of Physics and German Physical Society’s New Journal of Physics.
The technique will allow a spectral analysis of distant stars with unprecedented accuracy, as well as advance research in other areas of astrophysics, such as detailed observations of the Sun and the measurement of the accelerating universe by observing distant quasars, researchers said.
Researchers successfully demonstrated how a solar telescope can be combined with laser frequency comb (LFC) - a tool for measuring the colour or frequency of light.
LFC has been responsible for generating some of the most precise measurements ever made. An LFC is created by a laser that emits continuous pulses of light, containing millions of different colours, often spanning almost the entire visible spectrum.
When the different colours are separated based on their individual frequencies - the speed with which that particular light wave oscillates - they form a “comb-like” graph with finely spaced lines, or “teeth,” representing the individual frequencies.
This “comb” can then be used as a “ruler” to precisely measure the frequency of light from a wide range of sources, such as lasers, atoms or stars.
The researchers, from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, the Kiepenheuer Institute for Solar Physics and the University Observatory Munich, performed an analysis on the Sun by combining sunlight from a solar telescope in Tenerife with the light of an LFC.
Both sources of light were injected into a single optical fibre which then delivered the light to a spectrograph for analysis.
The researchers envisage using the new technique to not only study the star at the centre of our solar system, but stars much further away from us, particularly to find Earth-like planets that may be orbiting around them.
When a planet orbits a star, the star does not stay completely stationary, but instead moves in a very small circle or ellipse.
When viewed from a distance, these slight changes in speed cause the star’s light spectrum to change - a process known as a Doppler shift.
The researchers believe that an LFC would allow them to measure these Doppler shifts much more accurately and therefore increase the chances of spotting Earth-sized, habitable planets.
The study was published in the Institute of Physics and German Physical Society’s New Journal of Physics.
ICAR Develops 'Mridaparikshak
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ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, a research institute under the Natural Resource Management (NRM) Division of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has developed ‘Mridaparikshak’, a MINILAB that can determine soil health. The MINILAB was presented by Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Minister of Agriculture in Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ICAR on 18th February, 2015. The development of the MINILAB is an outcome of the initiative of ICAR and the concerted efforts by a team of scientists of ICAR-IISS, Bhopal in collaboration with M/s Nagarjuna Agrochemicals Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad to meet the need for having a quick, portable, scientific, and economical system of determining soil health.
The Features of MRIDAPARIKSHAK include:
· Mridaparikshak is a digital mobile quantitative minilab/soil test kit to provide soil testing service at farmers’ doorsteps.
· Mridaparikshak determines all the important soil parameters i.e. soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients like zinc, boron and iron.
· It also provides crop and soil specific fertilizer recommendations directly to farmer’s mobile through SMS.
· It is highly compatible with soil health card.
· Mridaparikshak comes with soil sampling tools, GPS, balance, shaker, hot plate, and a Smart Soil Pro, an instrument for determining the soil parameters and displaying of fertilizer nutrient recommendations.
· It can be operated by young educated farmers/rural youths (11-12 Pass) with short training.
The Features of MRIDAPARIKSHAK include:
· Mridaparikshak is a digital mobile quantitative minilab/soil test kit to provide soil testing service at farmers’ doorsteps.
· Mridaparikshak determines all the important soil parameters i.e. soil pH, EC, organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and micronutrients like zinc, boron and iron.
· It also provides crop and soil specific fertilizer recommendations directly to farmer’s mobile through SMS.
· It is highly compatible with soil health card.
· Mridaparikshak comes with soil sampling tools, GPS, balance, shaker, hot plate, and a Smart Soil Pro, an instrument for determining the soil parameters and displaying of fertilizer nutrient recommendations.
· It can be operated by young educated farmers/rural youths (11-12 Pass) with short training.
Inaction against attacks on UN peacekeepers dangerous: India
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United Nations: India has criticised the United Nations over lack of any “specific concrete action” by member states to penalise those who attack UN peacekeepers and warned that it might have “dangerous implications” for the maintenance of international peace and security. India, the single largest contributor of troops to UN peacekeeping operations that has actively participated in 11 out of the 15 active peacekeeping operations, also told a special UN committee that the lack of action to hold those responsible “reflects poorly” on the Security Council.
“Any lack of action by member states to penalise those who attack UN peacekeepers reflects poorly on the Security Council,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji said at the annual debate of the UN Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations (C34) here yesterday.
“If the Security Council fails to deter such attacks, the very institution of UN peacekeeping will continue to be targeted across the world, with dangerous implications for the maintenance of international peace and security,” he said. Mukerjee said that in peacekeeping operations in the Congo, South Sudan and the Golan, there has not been any “specific concrete action” by the United Nations, led by the Security Council, to bring those who attack UN peacekeepers to justice.
He further said that peacekeeping operations should not become “self-perpetuating enterprises” with the Security Council “routinely” extending their mandates as it expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of such operations. The context of the conflicts in which UN peacekeepers are deployed today is radically different from the past, he said.
“However, it is not clear whether the Security Council has fully examined these changes before somewhat routinely extending peacekeeping operations mandates. The C34 must ensure that PKOs do not become self-perpetuating enterprises,” he said, adding that the situation regarding UN peacekeeping operations since 2014 has “only deteriorated”.
Mukerjee said that the C34 should ask for a detailed report from the Security Council on what steps it has taken to enforce its resolutions on those who have targeted UN peacekeeping operations.
“Any lack of action by member states to penalise those who attack UN peacekeepers reflects poorly on the Security Council,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji said at the annual debate of the UN Special Committee for Peacekeeping Operations (C34) here yesterday.
“If the Security Council fails to deter such attacks, the very institution of UN peacekeeping will continue to be targeted across the world, with dangerous implications for the maintenance of international peace and security,” he said. Mukerjee said that in peacekeeping operations in the Congo, South Sudan and the Golan, there has not been any “specific concrete action” by the United Nations, led by the Security Council, to bring those who attack UN peacekeepers to justice.
He further said that peacekeeping operations should not become “self-perpetuating enterprises” with the Security Council “routinely” extending their mandates as it expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of such operations. The context of the conflicts in which UN peacekeepers are deployed today is radically different from the past, he said.
“However, it is not clear whether the Security Council has fully examined these changes before somewhat routinely extending peacekeeping operations mandates. The C34 must ensure that PKOs do not become self-perpetuating enterprises,” he said, adding that the situation regarding UN peacekeeping operations since 2014 has “only deteriorated”.
Mukerjee said that the C34 should ask for a detailed report from the Security Council on what steps it has taken to enforce its resolutions on those who have targeted UN peacekeeping operations.
Conference on Manual Scavenging
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The Prime Minister launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on 2nd October, 2014, which among other things, also lays emphasis on elimination of insanitary latrines and mechanised cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act, 2013) prohibits insanitary latrines, employment as manual scavengers and hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
A Conference of State Ministers was held today on “Complete Elimination of Manual Scavenging through Effective Implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013(MS Act, 2013)”. The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot presided over the Conference. During the Conference concerned State Ministers from nine States viz., Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi, participated. Senior officers of 21 States/UTs also attended the Conference.
The Conference reviewed the action taken by the concerned States/UTs and Central Ministries for implementation of MS Act, 2013. State Ministers from nine States gave the status of action taken for implementation of the Act in their respective States and offered suggestions.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gehlot exhorted the States for time-bound elimination of manual scavenging. He emphasised that the survey of insanitary latrines in urban and rural areas, as per the wider definition under the Act, need to be completed immediately. The manual scavengers servicing insanitary latrines should also be identified and assisted for their rehabilitation in alternative dignified occupations.
Shri Gehlot also pointed out that the surveys of Manual Scavengers and insanitary latrines in many States have not been conducted properly. The concerned agencies need to conduct fresh house to house surveys by undertaking visits to individual houses keeping in view the definition of manual scavengers and insanitary latrines as per the MS Act, 2013. As per the mandate of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan a special drive need to be started to provide facilities to all the people.
A Conference of State Ministers was held today on “Complete Elimination of Manual Scavenging through Effective Implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013(MS Act, 2013)”. The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJ&E), Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot presided over the Conference. During the Conference concerned State Ministers from nine States viz., Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and NCT of Delhi, participated. Senior officers of 21 States/UTs also attended the Conference.
The Conference reviewed the action taken by the concerned States/UTs and Central Ministries for implementation of MS Act, 2013. State Ministers from nine States gave the status of action taken for implementation of the Act in their respective States and offered suggestions.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gehlot exhorted the States for time-bound elimination of manual scavenging. He emphasised that the survey of insanitary latrines in urban and rural areas, as per the wider definition under the Act, need to be completed immediately. The manual scavengers servicing insanitary latrines should also be identified and assisted for their rehabilitation in alternative dignified occupations.
Shri Gehlot also pointed out that the surveys of Manual Scavengers and insanitary latrines in many States have not been conducted properly. The concerned agencies need to conduct fresh house to house surveys by undertaking visits to individual houses keeping in view the definition of manual scavengers and insanitary latrines as per the MS Act, 2013. As per the mandate of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan a special drive need to be started to provide facilities to all the people.
Ukraine issue: EU wants India to leverage ties with Russia
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NEW DELHI: The European Union on Wednesday pitched for India's engagement to resolve the Ukraine crisis, saying it can use its privileged relations with Russia to persuade the country to abide by international laws as well as the ceasefire agreement.
European Union Ambassador Joao Cravinho said India can play an important role in finding a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis on which Western countries have threatened Russia of more sanctions if it fails to deescalate the tension.
"India's privileged relations with Russia and longstanding relationship with it should build the basis for promotion of a greater understanding (on the issue).
"We hope that India, in its interactions with Russia, should express concerns with regard to territorial integrity (of Ukraine), with regard to maintenance of ceasefire agreements that was agreed upon," Cravinho said.
He said the 28-member rpt 28-member European Union will welcome any involvement and engagement of India in resolving the issue.
The US and Western powers have accused Russia of violating the ceasefire agreement on Ukraine and threatened of more sanctions. India has been adopting a cautious approach on the Ukraine issue and has not said anything against Russia.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments yesterday about the recent church attacks, the EU Ambassador welcomed them and said the remarks were in line with India's Constitution.
"We know that there are elements of discomfort resulting from radical statements by different individuals and groups. We believe that anywhere in the world, it is important for political leaders to be very aware of the explosive potential of religious divisiveness and Prime Minister Modi's comments yesterday were I think manifestations of that kind of concern," he said at a media interaction. MORE MPB RT ZMN.
European Union Ambassador Joao Cravinho said India can play an important role in finding a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis on which Western countries have threatened Russia of more sanctions if it fails to deescalate the tension.
"India's privileged relations with Russia and longstanding relationship with it should build the basis for promotion of a greater understanding (on the issue).
"We hope that India, in its interactions with Russia, should express concerns with regard to territorial integrity (of Ukraine), with regard to maintenance of ceasefire agreements that was agreed upon," Cravinho said.
He said the 28-member rpt 28-member European Union will welcome any involvement and engagement of India in resolving the issue.
The US and Western powers have accused Russia of violating the ceasefire agreement on Ukraine and threatened of more sanctions. India has been adopting a cautious approach on the Ukraine issue and has not said anything against Russia.
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments yesterday about the recent church attacks, the EU Ambassador welcomed them and said the remarks were in line with India's Constitution.
"We know that there are elements of discomfort resulting from radical statements by different individuals and groups. We believe that anywhere in the world, it is important for political leaders to be very aware of the explosive potential of religious divisiveness and Prime Minister Modi's comments yesterday were I think manifestations of that kind of concern," he said at a media interaction. MORE MPB RT ZMN.
Insight into inner magnetic layers
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Measurements at BESSY II have shown how spin filters forming within magnetic sandwiches influence tunnel magnetoresistance - results that can help in designing spintronic components. In doing so, the teams enhanced our understanding of processes that are important for future TMR data storage devices and other spintronic components.
Layers of magnetic materials are found in every hard drive and in every read/write head today. These are sandwiches made of complex heterostructures in which the different layers have typical thicknesses of only a few nanometers. An effect of quantum physics called tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is critical for their operation. It occurs when two ferromagnetic layers are separated from one another by an insulating layer several plies of atoms thick, like cheese between two slices of bread.
As long as the magnetization in both "slices" is parallel, the electrons can tunnel through the "cheese", i.e. the device resistance is low. However, if the magnetization changes in one of the layers, the electrons can no longer tunnel through the middle layer, i.e. the resistance is high.
The insulating LFO-layer in its normal state is antiferromagnetically ordered (AFM) and has no ferromagnetic domains. Credit: HZB
In this way, the electrical resistance can be precisely controlled through the influence of a magnetic field on one of the two outer layers, and be associated with the binary values of zero and one used for calculations.
New effect observed
The teams from France, Spain and HZB have now discovered that in such sandwiches combining different transition metal oxides, new interfacial effects can strongly influence the amplitude of the TMR This is what the French team under Manuel Bibes and Agnès Barthelemy of the Unité de Physique, CNRS/Thales, Palaiseau (working in collaboration with the team of Jacobo Santamaria in Madrid) had initially observed in measuring the electron transport characteristics.
They were researching a system of two LSMO (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3) layers that were separated by a very thin layer of LFO (LaFeO3). The LSMO layers were ferromagnetic while the LFO insulating layer was anti-ferromagnetic.
Layers of magnetic materials are found in every hard drive and in every read/write head today. These are sandwiches made of complex heterostructures in which the different layers have typical thicknesses of only a few nanometers. An effect of quantum physics called tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) is critical for their operation. It occurs when two ferromagnetic layers are separated from one another by an insulating layer several plies of atoms thick, like cheese between two slices of bread.
As long as the magnetization in both "slices" is parallel, the electrons can tunnel through the "cheese", i.e. the device resistance is low. However, if the magnetization changes in one of the layers, the electrons can no longer tunnel through the middle layer, i.e. the resistance is high.
The insulating LFO-layer in its normal state is antiferromagnetically ordered (AFM) and has no ferromagnetic domains. Credit: HZB
In this way, the electrical resistance can be precisely controlled through the influence of a magnetic field on one of the two outer layers, and be associated with the binary values of zero and one used for calculations.
New effect observed
The teams from France, Spain and HZB have now discovered that in such sandwiches combining different transition metal oxides, new interfacial effects can strongly influence the amplitude of the TMR This is what the French team under Manuel Bibes and Agnès Barthelemy of the Unité de Physique, CNRS/Thales, Palaiseau (working in collaboration with the team of Jacobo Santamaria in Madrid) had initially observed in measuring the electron transport characteristics.
They were researching a system of two LSMO (La0.7Sr0.3MnO3) layers that were separated by a very thin layer of LFO (LaFeO3). The LSMO layers were ferromagnetic while the LFO insulating layer was anti-ferromagnetic.
RE-INVEST 2015 Concludes
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The RE-INVEST 2015 which concluded today is the take off point which will have a multiplier effect in the economic front, said the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley. Addressing the valedictory session of the three day event, Shri Jaitley said that this will lead to enormous jobs generation, investments resulting in profitability, competitiveness between various sectors, filling up the gaps in power supply, enhancement of manufacturing sector, and yet not hurting the environment. The Finance Minister pointed out that this conference is a starting point of a great initiative whose effect will be clearly visible in the coming years.
Shri Jaitley said India has a very large land mass and therefore raw material required for renewable energy is right in front of us. It would be sheer incompetence if we are not able to convert this into a resource, and therefore the initiative which the Prime Minister has taken in the renewable energy sector , created an economically conducive environment. There is a huge change of mood and attitude in India, and that is reflective in the large scale enthusiasm shown in this conference. The Finance Minister said the kind of enthusiasm that the international investors are reposing in India today is a very rare occasion in the history, where you can become a natural recipient of both domestic and international investments. There is a great opportunity for India to grow in terms of manufacturing and we also have to concentrate on our infrastructure. Shri Jaitley added that the starting point of all this has to be the credibility of the Indian economy, the faith of people in Indian economy, and our ability to provide opportunity to investors and it is from that point of view our own systems have to be tuned themselves accordingly.
The Finance Minister said that the coal auctions initiated by the present government, will ultimately lead to a roadmap for cheaper electricity, and the process of reverse bidding will reach the common man in a sustainable manner.
Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu, said that RE-INVEST 2015 is a significant step in making India self reliant in energy. With the ambitious target of 200GW of solar energy, he said this is going to be a game changer for the energy scenario of the world and India would soon be the Renewable Energy capital of world. The Minister said if more commercial electricity is made available to villages, then migration from villages could be stopped.
The Minister of State(IC) for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar announced that environment clearances for green energy will be given through green channel. He also said that the government would provide predictable policy regime with standard guidelines.
The Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Shri Arvind Panagariya speaking on the occasion said that there is a vast potential of wind and solar energy in the country which are complementary to each other which needs massive investments. He also said that in the coming years, challenges in cost effective renewable energy appliances have also to be taken into consideration.
Outlining the future action plan in the renewable energy sector, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State ( IC) for Coal, Power and New & Renewable energy said that a long term roadmap will be drawn to achieve the targets of RE . He said there will be a monthly working session with various states so that the developers and states can work in partnership and there will be a six monthly personal review to ensure that the policies are actually implemented on the ground. The Ministry of New and Renewable energy will work actively in identifying the infrastructure requirements and de-bottling them, so that the manufacturers in India can successfully take their plans forward, Shri Goyal added.
Shri Jaitley said India has a very large land mass and therefore raw material required for renewable energy is right in front of us. It would be sheer incompetence if we are not able to convert this into a resource, and therefore the initiative which the Prime Minister has taken in the renewable energy sector , created an economically conducive environment. There is a huge change of mood and attitude in India, and that is reflective in the large scale enthusiasm shown in this conference. The Finance Minister said the kind of enthusiasm that the international investors are reposing in India today is a very rare occasion in the history, where you can become a natural recipient of both domestic and international investments. There is a great opportunity for India to grow in terms of manufacturing and we also have to concentrate on our infrastructure. Shri Jaitley added that the starting point of all this has to be the credibility of the Indian economy, the faith of people in Indian economy, and our ability to provide opportunity to investors and it is from that point of view our own systems have to be tuned themselves accordingly.
The Finance Minister said that the coal auctions initiated by the present government, will ultimately lead to a roadmap for cheaper electricity, and the process of reverse bidding will reach the common man in a sustainable manner.
Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu, said that RE-INVEST 2015 is a significant step in making India self reliant in energy. With the ambitious target of 200GW of solar energy, he said this is going to be a game changer for the energy scenario of the world and India would soon be the Renewable Energy capital of world. The Minister said if more commercial electricity is made available to villages, then migration from villages could be stopped.
The Minister of State(IC) for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Shri Prakash Javadekar announced that environment clearances for green energy will be given through green channel. He also said that the government would provide predictable policy regime with standard guidelines.
The Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Shri Arvind Panagariya speaking on the occasion said that there is a vast potential of wind and solar energy in the country which are complementary to each other which needs massive investments. He also said that in the coming years, challenges in cost effective renewable energy appliances have also to be taken into consideration.
Outlining the future action plan in the renewable energy sector, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State ( IC) for Coal, Power and New & Renewable energy said that a long term roadmap will be drawn to achieve the targets of RE . He said there will be a monthly working session with various states so that the developers and states can work in partnership and there will be a six monthly personal review to ensure that the policies are actually implemented on the ground. The Ministry of New and Renewable energy will work actively in identifying the infrastructure requirements and de-bottling them, so that the manufacturers in India can successfully take their plans forward, Shri Goyal added.
Banking Terms
Banking Book
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The banking book comprises assets and liabilities, which are contracted basically on account of relationship or for steady income and statutory obligations and are generally held till maturity.
These securities are accounted for in a different way than those in the trading book, which are traded on the market and valued by the performance of the market.
In other words, an accounting book that includes all securities that are not actively traded by the institution, that are meant to be held until they mature.
The banking book comprises assets and liabilities, which are contracted basically on account of relationship or for steady income and statutory obligations and are generally held till maturity.
These securities are accounted for in a different way than those in the trading book, which are traded on the market and valued by the performance of the market.
In other words, an accounting book that includes all securities that are not actively traded by the institution, that are meant to be held until they mature.
Bank Rate
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The Bank Rate (BR) has been defined in See 49 of RBI Act 1934 as the 'standard rate at which RBI is prepared to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers eligible for purchase under this act'. The RBI uses its lending power to banks (a) to influence their credit allocation and (b) to develop a genuine bill market in India.
Also, it is called an official interest rate at which the central bank rediscounts the approved bills held by a commercial bank. If the central bank wishes to control credit and inflation, it will increase the bank rate.
The Bank Rate (BR) has been defined in See 49 of RBI Act 1934 as the 'standard rate at which RBI is prepared to buy or rediscount bills of exchange or other commercial papers eligible for purchase under this act'. The RBI uses its lending power to banks (a) to influence their credit allocation and (b) to develop a genuine bill market in India.
Also, it is called an official interest rate at which the central bank rediscounts the approved bills held by a commercial bank. If the central bank wishes to control credit and inflation, it will increase the bank rate.
CBS
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- CBS stands for Core Banking Solutions.
- Core or centralized banking solution is a heart of banking system
- This is a process by which a bank has interconnect their maximum branches through wide area network and only this system provide a facility of any branch or any time banking.
- CBS stands for Core Banking Solutions.
- Core or centralized banking solution is a heart of banking system
- This is a process by which a bank has interconnect their maximum branches through wide area network and only this system provide a facility of any branch or any time banking.
ICOR
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ICOR stands for Incremental Capital Output Ratio.
ICOR is the Ratio of investment to growth which equals to one, divided by the marginal product of Capital. The higher the ICOR indicates lower the productivity of capital and lower the ICOR reflects high productivity of Capital. ICOR is the topic or instrument by which the Economic growth rate of company decided.
ICOR is calculates as:
ICOR = Annual Investment/Annual Increase in GDP
ICOR stands for Incremental Capital Output Ratio.
ICOR is the Ratio of investment to growth which equals to one, divided by the marginal product of Capital. The higher the ICOR indicates lower the productivity of capital and lower the ICOR reflects high productivity of Capital. ICOR is the topic or instrument by which the Economic growth rate of company decided.
ICOR is calculates as:
ICOR = Annual Investment/Annual Increase in GDP
Global Depository Receipt (GDR)
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Global Depository Receipt is a bank certificate issued in more than one country for shares in a foreign company. These shares are held by a foreign branch of an International bank. These shares are trades as domestic shares but are offered for sale globally through the various bank branches. A GDR is a very similar to an American Depository Receipt.
Global Depository Receipt is a bank certificate issued in more than one country for shares in a foreign company. These shares are held by a foreign branch of an International bank. These shares are trades as domestic shares but are offered for sale globally through the various bank branches. A GDR is a very similar to an American Depository Receipt.
Automatic Stabilizer
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Automatic Stabilizer is program that enhances and diminishes automatically for equalizing current economic trends without assistance of government. The best example for automatic stabilizer is unemployment insurance as it automatically replaces the lost income for people who have lost their jobs.
Also, Automatic Stabilizers are features of the tax and transfer systems that tend by their design to offset fluctuations in economic activity without direct intervention by policymakers.
Automatic Stabilizer is program that enhances and diminishes automatically for equalizing current economic trends without assistance of government. The best example for automatic stabilizer is unemployment insurance as it automatically replaces the lost income for people who have lost their jobs.
Also, Automatic Stabilizers are features of the tax and transfer systems that tend by their design to offset fluctuations in economic activity without direct intervention by policymakers.
Selective Credit Control
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Selective Credit Control (SCC) refers to the directives issued by RBI u/s 21 of Banking Regulation Act 1949 to regulate flow of bank credit against security of sensitive/selected commodities. With a view to prevent speculative holding of essential commodities with the help of bank credit, RBI issues from time to time, directive covering the margin requirements and the level and quantum of accommodation that could be granted against the SCC items.
Selective controls are designed to check the conduct of lenders only, they also influence the attitude of the borrowers, by prescribing the terms on which certain kinds of loans may be made.
Selective Credit Control (SCC) refers to the directives issued by RBI u/s 21 of Banking Regulation Act 1949 to regulate flow of bank credit against security of sensitive/selected commodities. With a view to prevent speculative holding of essential commodities with the help of bank credit, RBI issues from time to time, directive covering the margin requirements and the level and quantum of accommodation that could be granted against the SCC items.
Selective controls are designed to check the conduct of lenders only, they also influence the attitude of the borrowers, by prescribing the terms on which certain kinds of loans may be made.
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