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• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in Himalayas has sustainable management and restoration of resources. • Most of the NbS of Himalaya adheres the IUCN standard criteria. • Improved NbS interventions in Himalaya requires precise planning and engaging multiple stakeholders. Himalayan countries face many ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss and the many threats of climate change. In response, these countries are implementing Nature-based Solution to minimize these challenges and promote sustainable development. In this article we analyze the NbS programs implemented across the Himalayan region and assess the limitations of these NbS using the IUCN standard criteria of adherence to NbS for selected articles. We perform a systematic review of articles using the PRISMA methodology, through the Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate databases and followed by screening through the Rayyan web interface. Articles were screened out based on the location and lack of biodiversity and human well-being outcomes of NbS intervention. Nature-based Solutions in the Himalayas primarily use a sustainable management approach (35.29%), followed by restoration (23.53%), conservation (11.76%), holistic management (11.76%), eco-DRR (11.76%) and green infrastructure (5.88%) to address societal and climatic challenges. Institutional execution of NbS was 29.41% more common compared to the implementation of NbS by community or farmer groups. Pineapple based agroforestry (83.04%), forest restoration (78.57%), spring water storage (83.04%), spring restoration (86.61%), groundwater recharge (82.14%), bio-fertilizer and pesticides (77.68%), watershed restoration (78.57%), community-based watershed management (77.68%), community-based DRR (81.25%), community-based forest management (81.25%), sustainable harvest of medicinal plants (77.68%) and wetland restoration (82.14%), adhere to the IUCN criteria. In addition, some interventions adequately meet IUCN criteria, such as ice stupas (72.32%), forest restoration through plantation (73.21%), eco-safe roads (65.18), blue-green infrastructure (68.75%), and traditional ecological knowledge (72.32%). Our evaluation noted that NbS interventions can be improved by precise planning and design before implementation, engaging multiple stakeholders, comparing alternative solutions, and periodic monitoring of the impacts on the environment and society. This study shows that NbS in the Himalayas are contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate risk management. Tackling the limitation of this present review, mainly the exclusion of research not addressing biodiversity and human well-being, will yield more precise outcomes for climate actions and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is predicted to have severe impacts on mountainous regions, including urban settlements, and livelihoods of the urban poor. Adaptive capacity for marginalized groups is largely determined by household-level resources and decision-making capacity. This study investigated the vulnerability status and prevalent adaptation strategies of urban slum dwellers in Dehradun, Indian Himalayas, using a pre-tested questionnaire covering household characteristics and indicators of vulnerability, in face-to-face interviews with the head of 122 randomly selected households in four slums. We found that overall vulnerability was very high, with very low absorptive and coping capacity for potential impacts of climate change. Moreover, vulnerability and coping strategies were socially differentiated in terms of the decision-making capability and resource capacity of households. Two groups per category (good and bad decision makers; poor and poorer households) were distinguished. The exposure dimension of vulnerability differed significantly by resource capacity and decision capability. However, the sensitivity dimension of vulnerability did not differ between the groups, while the adaptive capacity dimension of vulnerability differed depending on decision-making capability. In designing appropriate strategies for long-term disaster mitigation for urban slums, it is thus important to address slum socio-ecology and the capability and capacity of slum dwellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymers based device performance greatly depends on the π-backbone chain orientation along the charge transportation direction. Therefore, rearrangement of polymer chains at molecular level and thin film fabrication via Langmuir technique is highly desirable for large area electronic device applications. Here, we have utilized air-water interface of Langmuir technique for proper molecular orientation of the interfacially (water-chloroform interface) synthesized, electroactive poly (5-aminoindole) (5-APIn). 5-APIn is assembled over aqueous (mobile) subphase and variation in film compactness with varying surface pressure has been plotted as surface-pressure per area (п-A) isotherm. The films fabricated via Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) technique at surface pressures 35, 45 and 55 mN/m are qualitatively investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Surface roughness of the 5-APIn LS film is also investigated via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Polymer ordered assembly obtained in LS film is compared to bulk via Raman spectroscopy. Further, we have explored its large area electronic application via Al/5-APIn LS film/ITO diode configuration. Our study illustrates the significant role of mobile liquid substrate in formation of large area, smooth and ordered LS film of 5-APIn that unlocks its way for utilization in low cost and large area display electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an essential to tune the charge carrier concentrations in semiconductor in order to approach high-performance of the electronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we report the effect of thin layer of gold (Au) metal on few layer (FL) molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) by atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy and electrical charge transport measurements. The Raman spectra and charge transport measurements show that Au thin layer affect the electronic properties of the FL MoS 2 . After deposition of Au thin layer, the threshold voltages of FL MoS 2 field-effect transistors (FETs) shift towards positive gate voltages, this reveal the p-doping in FL MoS 2 nanosheets. The shift of peak frequencies of the Raman bands are also analyzed after the deposition of Au metal films of different thickness on FL MoS 2 nanosheets. The surface morphology of Au metal on FL MoS 2 is characterized by AFM and shows the smoother and denser film in comparison to Au metal on SiO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of estimation is motivated by some studies from the area of developmental programs management to be implemented by the government and non-government organizations under different phases. The examples of such programs are educational programs, women empowerment programs for enhancing gross enrollment ratio in a region. There are two important variables in such programs. One of the variables is called the survey variable. The survey variable changes under the impact of the program over different phases and is termed as the response variable. In our study, we consider linear impacts of the programs under successive phases and multiplicative model which relates the response and survey variables. The management of the programs is interested in estimation of the mean of the response variable. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an unbiased estimator of the population mean of the response variable by using ranked set sampling procedure on the survey variable. The estimator is then compared with the estimator based on simple random sample (SRS). The relative precisions of the proposed estimator with the estimator based on SRS are computed for some symmetric and skew distributions. It is shown that the gains in relative precisions of the proposed estimator are substantial for all sample sizes and the chosen distributions. We applied the formulas derived in this paper to one real life example from India's report, Education for all towards quality with equity, of National University of Education Planning and Administration, New Delhi, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a facile and novel methodology for synthesis of Fe(II)-octaethylporphyrin/polyindole (Fe-OEP/PIn) hybrid material for electronic and electrochemical applications. The novelty of the work lies in coordination of iron in the OEP cavity and polymerization of indole monomer in a single step at room temperature. The ferric chloride used as oxidizing agent for polymerization of indole and the reduced Fe(II) ions are allowed to occupy the OEP cavity due to strong attraction of Fe(II) state towards porphyrinic cavity. The as synthesised hybrid materials are characterized and further used for fabrication of Schottky diode using a sandwiched structure Al/Fe-OEP-PIn/ITO which shows 0.21 cm 2 /Vs mobility, 2.1 ideality factor, and 0.60 eV barrier height. The improvement in electrochemical and electronic properties is discussed taking into account of outcome of various characterizations. Our study demonstrates the facile and novel synthesis of Fe-OEP/PIn hybrid material and its electrochemical and organic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vast amount of knowledge and experience on coping with climatic variability and extreme weather events exists within local communities, and indigenous coping strategies are important elements of successful adaptation plans. Traditional knowledge can help to provide efficient, appropriate and time-tested ways of responding to climate change especially in far-flung communities. However, little is known about how traditional coping strategies translate into adaptation to long-term changes, and to what degree they prevent pro-active, transformational responses to climate change. This paper assesses the use of climate related information for communities in the Himalayan foothills of rural India, and reports on the barriers to adaptation planning and actions. Surveys have been carried out to analyze the current practices and the role of information in planning for climate change adaptation in the rural areas of the Nainital region of India located in Western Himalaya. Respondents perceive the local climate change, the intensity of change, and the negative impacts on the community and landscape. Decreases in water quantity and changes in precipitation patterns are among the major concerns for respondents, however, communities have begun to use traditional knowledge and historical climate information for developing strategies suitable to cope with impacts of climate change. Going forward, additional information is needed to match the high priority community needs with viable adaptation strategies. Lack of money, lack of access to information, and lack of awareness or understanding are considered the three largest hurdles besides low priority for adaptation, recognized by community members as barriers to adaptation planning and actions. Adaptation plans must be integrated into both top-down and bottom-up approaches to plan for enabling sustainable development and the efficient use of information for adaptation. Finally, traditional knowledge seems to be useful not only in contrasting climate change impacts, but also in recovering several ecosystem services that work all together for enanching the quality of life of villagers at local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Facile synthesis of WZ structure ZnO NPs of size 10–20 nm via chemical route at room temperature. • Fabrication of self-powered photosensor in Schottky contact (Au/ ZnO NPs/FTO) configuration. • 1.5x104 on/off ration, 649 mA/W responsivity (R(λ)), external quantum efficiency (EQE) 217 % and detectivity (D) 2.4x 1013 Jones at 0 V. • Fabrication of MSM structure for gas sensors and demonstration of maximum sensitivity of ZnO NPs towards propenol vapor with possible mechanism. ZnO has unique multifunctional and morphological properties, and has received significant attention in the field of next-generation sensors and photonic devices. Herein, we report bifunctional ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) used for the selective detection of hazardous gases and self-powered photo response. ZnO nanoparticles with a wurtzite structure and particle size in the range of 10–20 nm were synthesized and fully characterized. ZnO NPs were explored as selective self-powered UV light (370 nm) photosensors and gas sensors. The photoresponse upon illumination with 370-nm light exhibited self-power behavior with an on/off ratio of 1.5x 104, responsivity (R(λ)) of 649 mA/W, external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 217%, and detectivity (D) of 2.4 × 1013 Jones at a bias voltage of 0 V. Maximum sensitivities of 211% and 96% were observed for propanol and chloroform, respectively, among the different gas environments, with quick response, short recovery times, and good repeatability. A possible mechanism has been proposed using the morphology, structural, and electrical characterization results. Thus, our study opens a path for synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials and their exploration for multiple applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solely inorganic semiconductors or their nanostructure based ultra violet photo detectors are still not up to the mark and remain unsatisfactory due to their inferior electrical performances. Therefore, the hybridization of inorganic semiconducting materials with organic semiconducting materials is emerging as one of the strategic methodology that has been recently implemented to augment the electrical performance like photocurrent, conductivity etc. Herein, we present a facile and efficient method for the hybridization of SnO 2 nano wire with reduced grapheme oxide (rGO) nano sheet and subsequent investigation of enhancement in photocurrent of the hybrid material. Prior to the hybridization of SnO 2 nanowire with rGO, SnO 2 nanowire is synthesized via hydrothermal route, and contemporarily, rGO is synthesized via improved Hummers method followed by reduction using microwave. Further, as obtained hybrid material of SnO 2 /rGO is deposited over the Si/SiO 2 , glass and p-doped Si substrates via spray method by placing the mixture solution of SnO 2 /rGO hybrid, inside the medicine chamber of baby's spray nebulizer. The morphological properties have been discussed taking into account of atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation of nano-hybrid materials and structural properties of SnO 2 , rGO, and SnO 2 /rGO hybrid have been discussed based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Further, the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of as grown thin film of hybrid is conducted using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AFM conducting tip. The metal-semiconductor- metal (MSM) structure is characterized in dark and in presence of light and found wavelength dependent photo detector property with drastic enhancement in photocurrent (10 2 ) at ±3 V for shorter wavelength as compare to longer wavelength. Thus, our material is selective for light source and can be used further for selective as well as short wavelength photo detector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the climate change vulnerability of Himalayan communities, and their potential to adapt to these changes, through assessing their perceived reactions and counter-actions to climate change. The evaluation was conducted through proposing and testing indices for vulnerability (Climate Vulnerability Index – CVI) and adaptation (Current Adaptive Capacity Index – CACI) based on the assumption that a community is an active dynamic entity and has tremendous capability to address the impacts of climate change through an ability to make adjustments based on perceived experiences. Both CVI and CACI include the five forms of capital leading to sustainable livelihood, i.e. human, natural, financial, social and physical capital, and were assessed for each of these forms of capital based on the IPCC framework of vulnerability assessment and its three dimensions (exposure, sensitivity, adaptive capacity). Data for the analysis were collected from randomly selected households located away from district headquarters (ADH) and near district headquarters (NDH). Each dimension was measured based on associated socio-environment-specific indicators for assessing vulnerability and sustainability at community level. The results showed that ADH households had higher human capital and natural capital vulnerability than NDH households. In contrast, NDH households had higher social capital and financial capital vulnerability than ADH households. Overall, ADH households had greater vulnerability than NDH households. These results improve understanding of the environmental and socio-economic changes affecting rural livelihoods and the measures needed to address their specific vulnerabilities by addressing bottlenecks in education and training facilities for skill up-grading, increasing interaction opportunities through local functions and creating opportunities for income generation and effective market and farm linkages. An attempt was made to reduce the gap between bottom-up understanding and top-down policies by suggesting precautionary and ongoing adaptation practices for the communities studied, leading to effective and efficient addressal of vulnerabilities. Vulnerability in the study context was taken to mean externally driven change leading to disturbance in the human environment that could alter internal and external livelihood settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering through self-assembled monolayer (SAM) is an efficient way for tailoring the work function and electronic property of surface; enhancing the charge injection efficiency and device performance for microelectronics applications. Despite this, there is lack of study on effect of interface engineering of organic/inorganic hybrid heterojunction diode through SAM. Here, we have reported the surface engineering for tailoring the surface work function, electronic property, enhancement in injection efficiency and device performance. Therefore, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) film surface was modified with SAM before formation of hybrid ZnO/poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) heterojunction diode and compared with unmodified ZnO/P3HT diode. Prior to measurement of J-V heterojunction characteristics, both interfaces were characterized using absorption spectra, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM). The modification of ZnO with SAM prior to heterojunction formation allows the better fabrication of diodes featuring ∼10 fold enhancement in rectification ratio at ±3 V and ∼32 fold enhancement in forward current density at 3 V with advancement in electronic device parameter. The enhancement in electrical characteristics are also discussed taking into account the absorption spectra, structural analysis, surface morphology, topography, surface potential, barrier height, and the energy band diagram of SAM's modified and unmodified diodes. Our study has cemented a path to further improve the device performance and parameter for electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years the population of the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) has been confronted with rapid social, economic, demographic, and political changes. In addition, the region is particularly vulnerable to climate change. However, there is a scarcity of cohesive information on the state of the environment and on the socio-economic situation of the approximately 210 million people who reside in the HKH. Specifically, data on livelihood vulnerability are lacking. As part of the Himalaya Climate Change Adaptation Programme, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, in consultation with regional and international partners, has developed the Multidimensional Livelihood Vulnerability Index (MLVI), a measure to explore and describe livelihood vulnerability to climatic, environmental, and socio-economic change in the HKH region. This paper documents how the MLVI was developed and demonstrates the utility of this approach by using primary household survey data of 16 selected districts of three sub-basins in the HKH region. The analysis gives important clues about differences in the intensity and composition of multidimensional livelihood vulnerability across these locations that should be useful to decision makers to identify areas of intervention and guide their measures to reduce vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With a fragile mountain ecosystem and being a least developed country, Bhutan is the most vulnerable to climate change with a serious impact on the environment and people, especially to poor informal settlers in urban areas. Therefore, the present study intends to evaluate the vulnerability and adaptation strategies of the urban poor of Thimphu, Bhutan by collecting primary data using a pre-tested questionnaire from 299 households of the slum dwellers distributed in three gewogs, namely Kawang, Mewang and Chang. The questionnaire contained questions on general household information, climate change, and associated adaptation strategies as per the framing of the crisis among the dwellers. The result revealed that the meteorological observation of climatic parameters matched the perception of the informal dwellers. Moreover, dwellers of informal settlements had higher climate risk with low adaptive capacity. Current adaptation strategies such as assistance provided and received, credit support obtained, economizing water usage during scarcity, and allowing extraction of resources from the forest were extended during crises. The logit model resulted that household characteristics, such as family size, family education, and age of the head of household were major demographic characteristics along with assets propelling adaptation measures. Therefore, urban planning should orient for better education and income generating programs for the dwellers besides making them aware of the economizing of resources. Improvement in public services will further strengthen the dwellers with enhanced adaptive capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]