Micro and Macro Cosmological Model in Barber's Second Self-Creation Theory

A spatially homogeneous anisotropic Bianchi type-I cosmological model in the Barber's second self-creation theory is constructed when the gravitational field is generated by a mixture of micro and macro matter fields represented by meson field and perfect fluid respectively. The physical and geometrical features of the micro and macro cosmological model are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Exact Bianchi Type-I Cosmological Micro Model in Modified Theory of General Relativity

An anisotropic, homogeneous Bianchi type-I cosmological micro model is obtained in Barber's modified theory of general relativity. Some properties of the model are discussed. Further, it is found that this theory leads to Einstein theory as the coupling parameterλ → 0 in micro level (i.e., quantum level) in general. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Geochemical evolution of groundwater in southern Bengal Basin: The example of Rajarhat and adjoining areas,West Bengal,India

Detailed geochemical analysis of groundwater beneath 1223 km² area in southern Bengal Basin along with statistical analysis on the chemical data was attempted, to develop a better understanding of the geochemical processes that control the groundwater evolution in the deltaic aquifer of the region. Groundwater is categorized into three types: ‘excellent’, ‘good’ and ‘poor’ and seven hydrochemical facies are assigned to three broad types: ‘fresh’, ‘mixed’ and ‘brackish’ waters. The ‘fresh’ water type dominated with sodium indicates active flushing of the aquifer, whereas chloride-rich ‘brackish’ groundwater represents freshening of modified connate water. The ‘mixed’ type groundwater has possibly evolved due to hydraulic mixing of ‘fresh’ and ‘brackish’ waters. Enrichment of major ions in groundwater is due to weathering of feldspathic and ferro-magnesian minerals by percolating water. The groundwater of Rajarhat New Town (RNT) and adjacent areas in the north and southeast is contaminated with arsenic. Current-pumping may induce more arsenic to flow into the aquifers of RNT and Kolkata cities. Future large-scale pumping of groundwater beneath RNT can modify the hydrological system, which may transport arsenic and low quality water from adjacent aquifers to presently unpolluted aquifer.     

An improved AMC‐coupled runoff curve number model

In the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS‐CN) method, the three levels of antecedent moisture condition (AMC) permit unreasonable sudden jumps in curve numbers, which result into corresponding jumps in the estimated runoff. A few recently developed SCS‐CN‐based models obviate this problem, yet they have several limitations. In this study, such a model incorporating a continuous function for antecedent moisture has been presented. It has several advantages over the other existing SCS‐CN‐based models. Its application to a large dataset from US watersheds showed to perform better than the existing SCS‐CN method and the others based on it. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating the impact of climate change in threshold values of thermodynamic indices during pre-monsoon thunderstorm season over Eastern India

Natural Hazards - The present study analyses thermodynamic indices variation over three sites of eastern Indian region: Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Ranchi, associated with pre-monsoon thunderstorms...     

Characterization of C2−C4 NMHCs distributions at a high altitude tropical site in India

Air samples were collected covering a full diurnal cycle during each month of the year 2002 at a mountaintop of Mt. Abu (24.6^∘ N, 72.7^∘ E, 1680 amsl). These samples were analyzed for C₂−C₄ NMHCs using a gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with flame ionization detector (FID). The seasonally averaged diurnal distributions of these NMHCs do not show significant variations in the summer season. While sharp peaks in the diurnal variation of some species during evening hours are additional features apart from higher levels in all NMHCs in the winter season. The seasonal variations in relatively long lived species (e.g. ethane, propane and acetylene) are observed to be more pronounced compared to those in reactive species (e.g. ethene, propene and butanes). The seasonal changes in transport patterns seem to be more dominant factor at this site for the observed variations in NMHCs than changes in OH radical concentration. The annual mean mixing ratios of ethane, ethene, propane, propene, i-butane, acetylene, and n-butane are 1.22 ± 0.58, 0.34 ± 0.24, 0.46 ± 0.20, 0.17 ± 0.14, 0.21 ± 0.18, 0.41 ± 0.43, and 0.31 ± 0.35 ppbv, respectively. Only few pairs of NMHCs are observed to show good correlations, mainly due to transport of air masses with different degree of photochemical processing. A comparison of this measurement with data reported for other remote sites of the globe indicates lower levels of light NMHCs in the tropical sites. The annual mean mixing ratios of various C₂−C₄ NMHCs at Mt. Abu are lower by factors ranging between 3 to 9 compared to a nearest urban site of Ahmedabad. The annual mean propylene (propene) equivalent concentrations of about 1.12 and 8.62 ppbC were calculated for Mt. Abu and Ahmedabad, respectively.     

Mathematical theory of counting two-dimensional grains by line and ribbon methods

Currently popular line and ribbon methods yield grain counts that are differentially biassed in regard to sizes and orientations of the maximum projection diameter of the grains in the sample. Bias correction factors covering the entire range of counting situations are obtained using probability theory and coordinate geometry. The corrected numbers are true unbiassed Fleet counts that are suitable for estimating true statistical measures and for estimating economic potential of mineral(s). Irregular grains can be counted by classifying them into either elliptical or rectangular shapes by means of nondimensional discriminant equations based on area or length measurements. Wadell roundness (ρ) for elliptical and rectangular outlines shows inconsistency, but the modified Wadell roundness (ρ′) proposed herein is a consistent measure of roundness for all types of shapes, and hence the latter is recommended for use. Theoretically, roundness is linearly correlated with the form factor (B/A) for elliptical outlines and hence, a linear correlation of average roundness and average form factor in sediments is to be expected. The entire spectrum of shape comprising two continuous variables, form factor and modified Wadell roundness, may be classified into two discrete shape states (elliptical and rectangular) or into several discrete shape states having ranges of ρ′ and B/A values.     

Differences in tree species diversity and soil nutrient status in a tropical sacred forest ecosystem on Niyamgiri hill range, Eastern Ghats, India

We have quantitatively analyzed the tree species diversity with respect to soil nutrient status in three sites of a sacred forest ecosystem of Niyamgiri hill range,Eastern Ghats,India.Extensive field surveys and sampling were conducted in 3 sites of the hill range:Site 1 Pterocarpus dominated forest(PTF)(19°40’02.2" N and 83°21’23.1" E),Site 2 Mangifera dominated forest(MAF)(19°40’02.8" N and 83°21’40.8" E) and Site 3 Mixed forest(MIF)(19°36’47.1" N and 83°21’02.7" E).A total of 28 families,42 genera,46 tree species,and 286 individual trees were recorded on an area of 0.6 ha.Tree density varied between 470 and 490 individuals ha-1 and average basal area between 3.16 and 10.04 m2 ha-1.Shannon Index(H’) ranged from 2.34 to 4.53,Simpson’s Index ranged from 0.07 to 0.09,and equitability Index ranged from 0.7 to 1.34.The number of individuals was highest in the girth at breast height(GBH) class of 50-70 cm.The soil nutrient status of the three forest types was related to tree species diversity.The soil pH value of the three sites reflected the slightly acidic nature of the area.Species diversity was positively correlated with organic carbon and phosphorus and negatively with nitrogen,EC and pH.The results of the current study may be helpful to further develop a conservation planfor tree species in tropical sacred forest ecosystems.