Development of an instrument to assess Human Resource Quality (HRQ) and measuring the impact of TQM efforts on HRQ using the instrument

This research is aimed at developing an instrument for measuring human resource quality in organizations. The researcher has developed the instrument for measuring HRQ based on extensive literature survey and expert opinion. Statistical validity of the Instrument has also been established. This instrument was used to measure the changes in Human Resource Quality in selected organizations wherein quality management practices are being implemented. Data collected was analyzed and presented in this thesis. It has been found that there are significant changes in all the indicators of Human Resource Quality. There is improvement in Cultural Change Index(CCI), Quality of Work Life Index(QWLI) and Employee Satisfaction Index(ESI). The Human Resource Quality index has also increased significantly in all the organizations. It has been observed from the study that implementation of TQM leads to significant changes in Human Resource Quality. This instrument is capable of measuring minor variations in each indicator of HRQ and can be used to identify areas of weakness and strength in the case of Human Resource Quality. The instrument can further be modified by future research. This research work provided excellent opportunities for the researcher for self-development and has made him confident to undertake such activities for the benefit of the learning community.

Visible luminescence mechanism in nano ZnO under weak confinement regime

We describe the structure of luminescence spectrum in the visible region in nano-ZnO in colloidal and thin film forms under weak confinement regime by modeling the transition from excited state energy levels of excitons to their ground state. Measurements on nanocrystallites indicate the presence of luminescence due to excitonic emissions when excited with 255 nm. The relevant energy levels showing the transitions corresponding to the observed peaks in the emission spectrum of ZnO of particle size 18 nm are identified.

Evidence for blueshift by weak exciton confinement and tuning of bandgap in superparamagnetic nanocomposites

Superparamagnetic nanocomposites based on Y-Fe2O3 and sulphonated polystyrene were synthesised by ion-exchange process and the structural characterisation has been carried out using X-ray diffraction technique. Doping of cobalt in to the Y-Fe2O3 lattice was effected in situ and the doping was varied in the atomic percentage range 1–10. The optical absorption studies show a band gap of 2.84 eV, which is blue shifted by 0.64 eV when compared to the reported values for the bulk samples (2.2 eV). This is explained on the basis of weak quantum confinement. Further size reduction can result in a strong confinement, which can yield transparent magnetic nanocomposites because of further blue shifting. The band gap gets red shifted further with the addition of cobalt in the lattice and this red shift increases with the increase in doping. The observed red shift can be attributed to the strain in the lattice caused by the anisotropy induced by the addition of cobalt. Thus, tuning of bandgap and blue shifting is aided by weak exciton confinement and further red shifting of the bandgap is assisted by cobalt doping.

Characterization of human and instrument related measurement errors

Measurement is the act or the result of a quantitative comparison between a given quantity and a quantity of the same kind chosen as a unit. It is generally agreed that all measurements contain errors. In a measuring system where both a measuring instrument and a human being taking the measurement using a preset process, the measurement error could be due to the instrument, the process or the human being involved. The first part of the study is devoted to understanding the human errors in measurement. For that, selected person related and selected work related factors that could affect measurement errors have been identified. Though these are well known, the exact extent of the error and the extent of effect of different factors on human errors in measurement are less reported. Characterization of human errors in measurement is done by conducting an experimental study using different subjects, where the factors were changed one at a time and the measurements made by them recorded. From the pre‐experiment survey research studies, it is observed that the respondents could not give the correct answers to questions related to the correct values [extent] of human related measurement errors. This confirmed the fears expressed regarding lack of knowledge about the extent of human related measurement errors among professionals associated with quality. But in postexperiment phase of survey study, it is observed that the answers regarding the extent of human related measurement errors has improved significantly since the answer choices were provided based on the experimental study. It is hoped that this work will help users of measurement in practice to better understand and manage the phenomena of human related errors in measurement.

Characteristics of ABL during active and weak phases of monsoon

Understanding of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) is imperative in the arena of the monsoon field. Here, the features of the ABL are studied employing Conserved Variable Analysis (CVA) using equivalent potential temperature and humidity. In addition, virtual potential temperature and wind are used during active and weak phases of monsoon. The analysis is carried out utilising the radiosonde observations during the monsoon months for two stations situated in the west coast of India. All these parameters show considerable variations during active and weak monsoon phases in both the stations. The core speed and core height vary with these epochs. The core speed is found to be more than 38 knots in the active monsoon phase around 1.2 km over Trivandrum and around 2 km over Mangalore. But during weak monsoon phase the core wind speed is decreased and core height is elevated over both stations. The wind direction shows an additional along shore component during weak monsoon period. The Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) height shows increase during weak monsoon phase over both stations due to less cloudiness and subsequent insolation. The CBL height during the southwest monsoon is more over Mangalore and is attributed by the orographic lifting in the windward side of the Western Ghats while the influence of the Ghats is less over Trivandrum.

A simple device for the separation of weak larvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man)

Larvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) are photopositive (Ling 1969a.b) and negatively rheotactic. While investigating larval diseases of M, rosenbergii it was observed that weak larvae failed to show both these responses. It was felt that this lack of response could be used to develop a device for separating the weak larvae from the apparently healthy ones. Such a device would be a valuable tool for assessing the health of a batch in terms of the percentage of 'healthy' and 'weak' larvae. What follows is a description and mode of operation of the 'photo-flow' device developed by the authors