Scalar-tensor theory of gravity and generalized second law of?thermodynamics on?the?event horizon

Here we consider our universe as homogeneous spherically symmetric FRW model and analyze the thermodynamics of this model of the universe in scalar-tensor theory. Assuming the first law of thermodynamics validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) at the event horizon is examined in both the cases when the universe is filled with perfect fluid and the holographic dark energy.     

Seasonal and Monthly Variation of Vertical Structure of Temperature,Salinity and Heat Flux of the Bay of Bengal

Seasonal and monthly variations of heat flux have been investigated in this study using the Modular Ocean Model of version 3 (MOM 3) simulations and 52 years Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) products. These variations of the heat flux in different boxes of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) in different depths show the different behavior of the boxes. It is seen that the model and SODA results are comparable. The basin shows north-south variation in the surface from winter to spring whereas there is east-west variation in the mixed layer throughout the year except winter. The remote effect caused by warm water penetration from Pacific Ocean through the Strait of Malacca and coastal Kelvin waves keeps the basin warm most of the year. This article addresses the mechanisms of the seasonal variation of the vertical structure of the temperature and heat flux components.     

Role of Vertical Resolution in Numerical Models Towards the Intensification,Structure and Track of Tropical Cyclones

The impact of vertical resolution on the evolution and movement of tropical cyclones was studied using NCAR MM5 model with a horizontal resolution of 9 km. Four numerical experiments were performed with different vertical resolutions, that is, with 23 vertical levels as control experiment, and 36 vertical levels with high resolution in the lower troposphere, 33 vertical levels with high resolution in the upper troposphere and 46 vertical levels with increased vertical resolution throughout the troposphere as relative to base experiment. The results indicate that increased vertical resolution in the lower troposphere produces efficient intensification and better structure in terms of eye and eyewall. Increased vertical resolution at lower levels improves the prediction of vertical shear of horizontal wind. Experiments with high resolution in the lower troposphere and high resolution throughout the troposphere simulate better track up to 72 hours.     

Hydrochemistry and sediment characteristics of polar periglacial lacustrine environments on Fisher Island and Broknes Peninsula,East Antarctica

Fisher Island and Broknes Peninsula in the Larsemann Hills constitute part of a polar lowland periglacial environment between marine and glacial ecosystems. The landscape is characterized by gently rolling hills and broad valleys interspersed with lakes formed in glacially scoured basins. We analyzed the physieochemical parameters and the ionic constituents of water samples from 10 lakes in each of these two locations. Our results showed considerable differences between the two regions and demon- strated the influence of lithology and processes including weathering, evaporation, and atmospheric precipitation. All major cations and anions in the lake waters showed positive correlations indicating balanced ionic concentrations. Unconsolidated sediments were sparsely distributed and scattered over glacial deposits, valley fills, and occasional moraine ridges. The type and rate of sedi- mentation was mainly controlled by surface run-off and aeolian influx. The sediment samples from lake beds and the catchment area on Fisher Island were immature and poorly to very poorly sorted, consisting of gravelly sand with negligible silt and finer fractions. Sediments had a polymodal grain size distribution with the two major populations lying between -2 and 1 phi and be- tween 0 and 1.5 phi. The sediments were lithic arenite to arkosic in composition and the microtextures imprinted over quartz grains were dominated by mechanical textures resulting from several stages of glacial crushing and grinding. The presence of deep disso- lution cavities, cryptocrystalline precipitation, and euhedral crystal growth signified the effect of chemical activity after the deposition of grains in the lacustrine environment.     

Evaluation of a regional strain gradient in mylonitic quartzites from the footwall of the Main Central Thrust Zone (Garhwal Himalaya,India): Inferences from finite strain and AMS analyses

The footwall of the Main Central Thrust (MCT) Zone along the Bhagirathi valley comprises a wide zone of mylonitic quartzite and deep-level tectonites. The systematic variation of finite strain parameters (Es, k and v) in the mylonites indicates heterogeneous deformation, which is determined to vary between, simple shear and non-coaxial flattening type. In such a strain regime the outer boundary of the quartz clasts are no longer preserved thus leading to an error in finite strain measurement.In order to supplement the finite strain studies, Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) analyses were carried out on the mylonitic quartzites. A systematic variation in degree of anisotropy (P′) with distance from the MCT is documented and is interpreted to be tectonic in origin. Based on these results it is concluded that P′ can be used as a strain-intensity gauge at least on an outcrop scale, where a systematic variation in P′ values from one part of the outcrop to the other can be established. However, the quantitative relation between principal axes of finite strain ellipsoid and AMS axes, magnitude of principal susceptibility difference (ΔK₁ and ΔK₃) and finite strain magnitude (ε₁=ln 1 + e₁ and ε₃=ln 1 + e₃) were related by a logarithmic relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.844.     

Compositionally zoned crystals and real-time degassing data reveal changes in magma transfer dynamics during the 2006 summit eruptive episodes of Mt. Etna

One of the major objectives of volcanology remains relating variations in surface monitoring signals to the magmatic processes at depth that cause these variations. We present a method that enables compositional and temporal information stored in zoning of minerals (olivine in this case) to be linked to observations of real-time degassing data. The integrated record may reveal details of the dynamics of gradual evolution of a plumbing system during eruption. We illustrate our approach using the 2006 summit eruptive episodes of Mt. Etna. We find that the history tracked by olivine crystals, and hence, most likely the magma pathways within the shallow plumbing system of Mt. Etna, differed considerably between the July and October eruptions. The compositional and temporal record preserved in the olivine zoning patterns reveal two mafic recharge events within months of each other (June and September 2006), and each of these magma supplies may have triggered the initiation of different eruptive cycles (July 14–24 and August 31–December 14). Correlation of these observations with gas monitoring data shows that the systematic rise of the CO₂/SO₂ gas values is associated with the gradual (pre- and syn-eruptive) supply of batches of gas-rich mafic magma into segments of Etna’s shallow plumbing system, where mixing with pre-existing and more evolved magma occurred.     

Assessment of nitrate contamination of Lidder catchment Kashmir, India

Nitrate contamination in the groundwater from various sources is one of the major problems of water resources in Liddercatchment, Kashmir. Systematic sampling was carried out during summer 2007, with a view to understand the source of nitrate ions in the groundwater of the Lidder catchment. Twelve sample sites were selected and samples were taken for a baseline study to understand the geochemistry of the groundwater and to assess the overall physico-chemical characteristics. Results showed that NO ₃ ^? concentration in ranged from 18.72?mg/L to 75.93?mg/L with an average of 47.03?mg/L. More than 80% (83.33%) of the samples collected from various sampling stations had nitrate concentrations exceeding the threshold value of 20?mg/L, and 58.33% of the samples collected had nitrate concentrations higher than 50?mg/L, the maximum acceptable nitrate concentration for drinking water. There is a wide spatial variation in the nitrate concentration in the groundwater. Monitoring the water quality of various sampling stations showed that the lowest concentrations of nitrate were found in the wet season (January, February, and December), while the highest concentrations were found in the dry season (August, September). Numerous human perturbations have been detected affecting the water quality of Lidder catchment. Disposal of sewage and animal wastes was found to contribute about 85% of total nitrate pollution in the study area. Based on the trend analysis (using previous data), future scenario of nitrate pollution has been predicted in the study area. The results of this study are useful to highlight one of the most important environmental problems, namely the degradation of the water quality, and may serve to alert and encourage local and national authorities to take substantial steps and actions to protect and manage water quality.     

Equatorial ionospheric responses in relation to the occurrence of main phase of intense geomagnetic storms in the local dusk sector

During five intense geomagnetic storms with main phases occurring around local dusk sector, equatorial ionosonde and electrojet data, VHF/UHF scintillation data of Calcutta, and several solar wind parameters are investigated to ascertain the polarity of prompt penetration electric field (PPEF). Abrupt increases in AE, ASY-H and/or sharp decreases in D_st/SYM-H with strong southward IMF B_z may symbolize eastward PPEF to equatorial latitude leading to evolution of density irregularities if the period is associated with arrival and sustenance of large magnetospheric shock compression. On the contrary, westward PPEF is more feasible if the shock reduces suddenly or fluctuates with small values.     

New technologies, old divides: linking internet access to social and locational characteristics of US farms

Access to new information and communication technologies is widely viewed as a prerequisite for participation in the global economy, so that inequalities in such access have become a significant policy concern. Rural areas are especially underserved in terms of internet providers, and this is true in both developed and less developed economies. This article focuses on access to the internet within farming operations in the US as an important aspect of understanding the digital divide within rural areas. Using county level data from the 2007 US Census of Agriculture and multivariate regression analysis, our study examines the statistical relationship between farm internet access and a set of explanatory factors which include demographic characteristics of operators, economic characteristics of farms, and geographic location (region and metropolitan status) of the farm. Further, it seeks to understand whether access to the internet can be socially and locationally differentiated from access to high speed internet. Our findings indicate that existing social divides are replicated in terms of the digital divide, so that social inequalities are potentially a more pressing problem than infrastructural gaps in terms of rural access to the internet in the US.