Evolutionary studies of the young star clusters: NGC 1960, NGC 2453 and NGC 2384

We report the analysis of the young star clusters NGC 1960, NGC 2453 and NGC 2384 observed in the J (1.12 μm), H (1.65 μm) and K′ (2.2 μm) bands. Estimates of reddening, distance and age as E(B?V)=0.25, d=1380 pc and t=31.6 to 125 Myr for NGC 1960, E(B?V)=0.47, d=3311 pc and t=40 to 200 Myr for NGC 2453 and E(B?V)=0.25, d=3162 pc and t=55 to 125 Myr for NGC 2384 have been obtained. Also, we have extended the color–magnitude diagrams of these clusters to the fainter end and thus extended the luminosity functions to fainter magnitudes. The evolution of the main sequence and luminosity functions of these clusters have been compared with themselves as well as Lyngå 2 and NGC 1582.     

An Evaluation of Sharp Interface Models for CO2‐Brine Displacement in Aquifers

Understanding multiphase transport within saline aquifers is necessary for safe and efficient CO₂ sequestration. To that end, numerous full‐physics codes exist for rigorously modeling multiphase flow within porous and permeable rock formations. High‐fidelity simulation with such codes is data‐ and computation‐intensive, and may not be suitable for screening‐level calculations. Alternatively, under conditions of vertical equilibrium, a class of sharp‐interface models result in simplified relationships that can be solved with limited computing resources and geologic/fluidic data. In this study, the sharp‐interface model of Nordbotten and Celia (2006a,2006b) is evaluated against results from a commercial full‐physics simulator for a semi‐confined system with vertical permeability heterogeneity. In general, significant differences were observed between the simulator and the sharp‐interface model results. A variety of adjustments were made to the sharp‐interface model including modifications to the fluid saturation and effective viscosity in the two‐phase region behind the CO₂‐brine interface. These adaptations significantly improved the predictive ability of the sharp interface model while maintaining overall tractability.     

Interactions of bacteria with diatoms: influence on natural marine biofilms

Interactions between microfouling components influence the biofilm community and the cascading events, thus playing an important role in the biofouling process. Bacteria and diatoms are among the dominant forms reported in biofilms. Experiments were carried out with natural marine biofilms from a tropical monsoon‐influenced environment to evaluate the interactions between bacteria and diatoms through application of antibiotics (streptomycin and chloramphenicol). Overall, chloramphenicol inhibited diatom communities, whereas streptomycin did not. These antibiotic‐mediated changes in the fouling diatom community were consistent across the seasons. However, the rates at which the fouling communities changed depended on the initial species composition. It was also observed that elevated nutrient concentrations overrode the inhibitory effect of chloramphenicol. Maximum Vibrio enhancement was observed in the enriched conditions during the pre‐monsoon and unenriched conditions during the monsoon (with naturally elevated background nutrient concentrations), highlighting the relevance of nutrient concentrations for Vibrio spp. This has interesting implications for antibiotic‐mediated interactions between fouling diatom and bacterial communities under differing nutrient regimes. Although this study indicates the relevance of ‘cross‐talk’ at the microfouling level, understanding the effects of additional microbial products (e.g. bacteriocins and peptidoglycan) on these community‐level interactions will represent a step forward.     

Neoliberalism and water reforms in western India: Commercialization, self-sufficiency, and regulatory bodies

This paper deals with the changes brought about by the ‘reforms’ in water currently under way in many parts of the world. Three particular reforms in the state of Maharashtra in western India are discussed - the commercialization of a parastatal body, the concept of self-sufficiency as it plays out in the context of urban local bodies, and the working of the regulatory body in water. The analysis of these reforms shows how, in common with neoliberal projects elsewhere, changes in institutional practices are resulting in changes in subjectivities, foreclosing alternatives, and leading to attempts to ‘depoliticize’ the water arena. At the same time, there are differences between the regulatory experience of Maharashtra and regulation in other locales, which offers insights into how neoliberalism works in a context where water reforms have emerged relatively late.