Bianchi Type-1 vacuum models in modified theory of general relativity

In this paper, the problem of spatially homogeneous and an isotropic Bianchi type-1 space time with perfect fluid distribution is considered in Barber's second theory of gravitation. To obtain determinate solutions, we have assumed the equation of statep= γρ, 0 ≤ γ ≤ 1. It is observed that the general fluid distribution degenerates isotropic vacuum model whenγ = 1 and Λ < 0. Further it is observed that the vacuum model obtained in case of γ = 0, ρ = 0 andΛ = 0, reduces to well known Kasner model in Einstein's theory. Some physical and geometrical aspects of the models together with singularities in the models are also discussed This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nonplanar Ion Acoustic Waves with Nonthermal Electrons

Using the standard reductive perturbation technique, nonlinear cylindrical and spherical Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (KP) equations are derived for the propagation of ion acoustic solitary waves in an unmagnetized collisionless plasma with nonthermal electrons and warm ions. The influence of nonthermally distributed electrons and the effects caused by the transverse perturbation on cylindrical and spherical ion acoustic waves (IAWs) are investigated. It is observed that the presence of nonthermally distributed electrons has a significant role in the nature of ion acoustic waves. In particular, when the nonthermal distribution parameter ?? takes certain values the usual cylindrical KP equation (CKPE) and spherical KP equation (SKPE) become invalid. One then has to have recourse to the modified CKPE or SKPE. Analytical solutions of both CKPE and SKPE and their modified versions are discussed in the present paper. The present investigation may have relevance in the study of propagation of IAWs in space and laboratory plasmas.     

Molecular evidence for Myripristis jacobus and Scarus taeniopterus new to Bay of Bengal: Sporadic appearance or preliminary colonization?

Individual specimens of Myripristis jacobus Cuvier, 1829 and Scarus taeniopterus Lesson, 1829 were collected from Gopalpur‐on‐sea, Odisha coast, Bay of Bengal. Both the fish samples were assigned species level tags using the conventional taxonomic methods. The capture of both the fish species is of particular interest in that they were new to the Bay of Bengal. Molecular analysis using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene showed high confidence sequence similarity in species identification. The resultant phylogenetic relationships strongly support the monophyly of both the genus with congruent clustering of both the species according to their morphological identification. In addition, the time tree produced is in complete agreement with the recent studies. These studies conclusively prove that both the species might have been originated during the middle to the late Miocene period. Furthermore, both fish species are typical inhabitants of stigmatized coral reefs, confined to the reef regions. These fish species perhaps migrated to the Bengal Bay from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reef regions because of climatic changes.     

Winter thermal inversion and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichodesmium</Emphasis> dominance in north-western Bay of Bengal

Clear thermal inversion was observed with cold surface waters (< 24°C) overlying the warm (> 26°C) subsurface water in the coastal waters of the northwestern Bay of Bengal during winter (January 2015). Simultaneously, preponderance of the cyanobacteria Trichodesmium erythraeum was observed dominating the phytoplankton community with > 90% of total population, reaching maximum density of 9.8 × 10⁵ filaments/L. Further, the Trichodesmium predominance was associated with low water temperature (< 24°C).     

Assessment of heavy metal concentrations and associated resistant bacterial communities in bulk and rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Avicennia marina</Emphasis> of Pichavaram mangrove,India

Heavy metals are known to pose a potential threat to terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna. Due to increasing human influence, heavy metal concentrations are rising in many mangrove ecosystems. Therefore, an assessment of heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, and Zn) concentrations was conducted within the bulk soil and rhizosphere soil of Avicennia marina at the Pichavaram Mangrove Forest in India. The rhizosphere soil showed higher concentrations of metals than the bulk soil. Compared to the bulk soil, the metals Cd, Fe, Mn, and Zn were 6.0–16.7% higher, whereas Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb were 1.7–2.8% higher concentration. Among the three selected sampling sites (dense mangrove forest, estuarine region, and sea region), the sea region had the highest concentration of all heavy metals except Zn. The trend of the mean metal concentration was Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd. Heavy metals concentrations elevated by the 2004 tsunami were persistent even after 4 years, due to sedimentary soil processes, the rhizosphere effect of mangroves, and anthropogenic deposition. Analysis of the heavy metal-resistant bacteria showed highest bacterial count for Cr-resistant bacteria and rhizosphere soil. The maximum level of heavy metal-resistant bacteria was observed at the site with the highest heavy metal contamination. The heavy metal-resistant bacteria can be used as indicator of heavy metal pollution and furthermore in bioremediation.     

In-orbit Performance of UVIT and First Results

The performance of the ultraviolet telescope (UVIT) on-board AstroSat is reported. The performance in orbit is also compared with estimates made from the calibrations done on the ground. The sensitivity is found to be within \(\sim \)15% of the estimates, and the spatial resolution in the NUV is found to exceed significantly the design value of \(1.8^{\prime \prime }\) and it is marginally better in the FUV. Images obtained from UVIT are presented to illustrate the details revealed by the high spatial resolution. The potential of multi-band observations in the ultraviolet with high spatial resolution is illustrated by some results.     

Slake durability study of shaly rock and its predictions

More than 35% of the earths crust is comprised of clay-bearing rocks, characterized by a wide variation in engineering properties and their resistance to short term weathering by wetting and drying phenomenon. The resistance to short-term weathering can be determined by slake durability index test. There are various methods to determine the slake durability indices of weak rock. The effect of acidity of water (slaking fluid) on slake durability index of shale in the laboratory is investigated. These methods are cumbersome and time consuming but they can provide valuable information on lithology, durability and weather ability of rock. Fuzzy set theory, Fuzzy logic and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) techniques seem very well suited for typical complex geotechnical problems. In conjunction with statistics and conventional mathematical methods, a hybrid method can be developed that may prove a step forward in modeling geotechnical problems. During this investigation a model was developed and compared with two other models i.e., Neuro-fuzzy systems (combination of fuzzy and artificial neural network systems) and artificial neural network system, for the prediction of slake durability index of shaly rock to evaluate the performance of its prediction capability.     

Mineralogical composition and ash geochemistry of raw and beneficiated high sulfur coals

Coal is one of the most available energy sources on earth. The mineralogical and geo-chemical aspects of coals are of prime importance for their utilization. The mineralogical composition, ash chemistry, and ash fusion temperature (AFT) ranges of raw and beneficiated coals are investigated in this paper. Further, the mineral matter transformation during the beneficiation processes viz. by oxidative desulfurization; alkali extraction and ultrasonication along with the relationship of the ash fusion temperature (AFT) ranges with the ash components in the coal are discussed. The major oxides present in the coal and beneficiated coal ashes include Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, and MgO, which significantly affect the ash fusion temperature ranges. Initial deformation temperature (IDT) changes with the ash components and, increases with the increase in the Fe₂O₃ content in coal ash. With increasing concentrations of both Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, the initial deformation temperature (IDT) also increases. The increasing and decreasing nature of the initial deformation temperature (IDT) observed is also dependent upon the CaO and MgO contents. XRD analysis of the coal samples revealed significant changes in mineral matter contents with the types of beneficiation processes adopted for coal. The minerals like chlorite, illite, montmorillonite, pyrite, calcite, aragonite, and alumina have been removed during the beneficiation processes. The FTIR spectra also indicate the presence of minerals like gypsum (G), calcite (C) aragonite (Ar), quartz (Q) and kaolinite (K) in the raw coal and their subsequent removal after the beneficiation processes.     

Simulation of tornado over Orissa (India) on March 31, 2009, using WRF–NMM model

A severe thunderstorm produced a tornado (F3 on the Fujita-Pearson scale), which affected Rajkanika block of Kendrapara district of Orissa in the afternoon of March 31, 2009. The devastation caused by the tornado consumed 15 lives and left several injured with huge loss of property. The meteorological conditions that led to this tornado have been analyzed. An attempt is also made to simulate this rare event using Non-hydrostatic Mesoscale Model (NMM) core of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) system with a spatial resolution of 4 km for a period of 24 h, starting at 0000 UTC of March 31, 2009. The atmospheric settings resulted from synoptic, surface, upper air, satellite and radar echo studies were favorable for the occurrence of a severe thunderstorm activity over Rajkanika. The model-simulated meteorological parameters are consistent with each other, and all are in good agreement with the observation in terms of the region of occurrence of the intense convective activity. The model has well captured the vertical motion. The core of the strongest winds is shown to be very close to the site of actual occurrence of the event. The wind speed is not in good agreement with the observation as it has shown the strongest wind of only 20 ms⁻¹, against the estimated wind speed of 70 ms⁻¹. The spatial distributions as well as intensity of rainfall rates are in good agreement with the observation as model simulated 35.4 mm against the observed rainfall of 41 mm over Chandbali. The results of these analyses demonstrated the capability of high-resolution WRF–NMM model in simulation of severe thunderstorm events.