Non-linear r.f. heating of ionospheric plasma

The non-linear heating of electrons in the ionospheric plasma due to high-power radio wave propagation has been investigated through an integro-differential equation derived from Boltzmann velocity-moment equations. Various processes appropriate to the situation under study are taken into account. The numerical solution of the derived equation is presented graphically.Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Calcutta, India.     

Primary depositional and diagenetic features in the banded iron formation and associated iron-ore deposits of Noamundi,Singhbhum district,Bihar, India

The Banded Hematite Jasper (BHJ) Formation of Noamundi region in Bihar, belonging to the lower part of the Iron Ore Group of early Precambrian age (c. 2900–3200 Ma), exhibits numerous primary depositional and diagenetic features, both in BHJ as well as the associated iron ore deposits. Observed primary depositional features include banding and bedding of different geometric-types, surface-markings including interference ripple-marks, current crescents, linear markings, scour-and-fill structures, etc. and within-mass microstructures such as spherulites, granules, discs and maculose cylindrical bodies. Diagenetic features, such as fabric changes, micro-dessication structures, gravity-density features, etc. and motion-and-disruption features of various kinds are also seen. The significance of various features in terms of probable mode and environments of deposition of BHJ and the iron ore beds has been considered. In general, shallow water environment of deposition in a region proximal to the shoreline with a rather steep paleoslope of the shelf has been surmised.     

Wind dependence of quasi-specular sea scatter

Earlier investigations have shown that a power law relationship of the typeσ=aW ^b exists between the scattering coefficientσ and sea surface wind speedW at microwave frequencies. The coefficientsa andb are usually quoted for different frequencies, look angles, polarizations etc. This paper attempts to define the angular dependence using such a power law relationship in the quasi-specular range.     

On absence of certain periods in the love-wave spectrum

Summary It has been noted by several observers that no Love-wave spectrum is complete in the sense that it contains all the periods. The reason for this has been sought for in the presence of a low-velocity layer.     

Interacting holographic dark energy with variable deceleration parameter and accreting black holes in Bianchi type-V universe

Dust-ion-acoustic (DIA) waves in an unmagnetized dusty plasma system consisting of inertial ions, negatively charged immobile dust, and superthermal (kappa distributed) electrons with two distinct temperatures are investigated both numerically and analytically by deriving Korteweg–de Vries (K-dV), modified K-dV (mK-dV), and Gardner equations along with its double layers (DLs) solutions using the reductive perturbation technique. The basic features of the DIA Gardner solitons (GSs) as well as DLs are studied, and an analytical comparison among K-dV, mK-dV, and GSs are also observed. The parametric regimes for the existence of both the positive as well as negative SWs and negative DLs are obtained. It is observed that superthermal electrons with two distinct temperatures significantly affect on the basic properties of the DIA solitary waves and DLs; and depending on the parameter μ _c (the critical value of relative electron number density μ _e1), the DIA K-dV and Gardner solitons exhibit both compressive and rarefactive structures, whereas the mK-dV solitons support only compressive structures and DLs support only the rarefactive structures. The present investigation can be very effective for understanding and studying various astrophysical plasma environments (viz. Saturn magnetosphere, pulsar magnetosphere, etc.).     

Holographic dark energy model with variable deceleration parameter,cosmic coincidence and the future singularity of the Kantowski-Sachs universe

The present work deals with a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Kantowski-Sachs space time filled with two minimally interacting fluids; dark matter and a hypothetical anisotropic fluid as the holographic dark energy components. To obtain an exact solution of the Einstein’s field equations, we used the assumption of linearly varying deceleration parameter. We have investigated geometric and kinematic properties of the model and the role of the anisotropic holographic dark energy in the evolution of the Kantowski-Sachs universe. Under the suitable condition, it is observed that the anisotropy parameter of the universe and the skewness parameter of the holographic dark energy approaches to zero for large cosmic time and the universe can achieve flatness for some particular moments throughout its entire lifetime. Results show that the coincidence parameter $( \Re= \frac{\rho_{\varLambda}}{\rho_{M}} )$ increases with increasing time and a big rip type future singularity will occur for this model. We have also applied the statefinder diagnostics method to study the behavior of different stages of the universe and to differentiate the proposed dark energy model from the ΛCDM model. Since in this model, the universe has a finite life time and passes through a significant time when the dark energy and the matter energy densities are roughly comparable, so considering $\frac{1}{ \Re_{0}} <\Re < \Re_{0}$ , where ?₀ is any fixed ratio, we have calculated the fraction of total life time of the universe when the universe passes through the coincidental stage for this future singularity. The results are found to be consistent with recent cosmological observations.     

Kinetics of oxytetracycline sorption on magnetite nanoparticles

Iron oxide nanoparticles (nano-Fe) have been widely used in environmental remediation, including that of emerging contaminants, such as antibiotics. Magnetite nanoparticles (nano-Fe₃O₄) have been reported to form on the outer surface of nano-Fe and have the potential to be a good sorbent for certain antibiotics. This study reports, for the first time, the kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption of a common tetracycline group antibiotic, oxytetracycline (OTC), on nano-Fe₃O₄. Batch sorption kinetics were evaluated by varying initial OTC concentration (0.25–2 mM), nano-Fe₃O₄ concentration (2.5–20 g L^?1), pH (3.8–7.6), temperature (5, 15, 35 °C), and ionic strength (0.01–0.5 M KCl) to derive thermodynamic and kinetic constants. Results show that OTC sorption kinetics is rapid and increases with increasing temperature. The derived thermodynamic constants suggest a surface chemical-controlled reaction that proceeds via an associative mechanism. Results indicate the potential of developing a nano-magnetite-based remediation system for tetracycline group of antibiotics.     

The subsurface megascopic characteristics of basalt and basement rocks from Koyna-Warna area of Maharashtra,India

Vertical deep boreholes of depth up to 1522.50m have been drilled in Koyna-Warna area of Maharashtra State within the Deccan Volcanic Province to study the most outstanding example of Reservoir Triggered Seismicity (RTS). The drilling of 9 bore-holes in the area has provided a window to earth scientists to peep into geological details available below Deccan Trap.The 932.50m thick pile of Deccan basalt, consisting of 30 flows at Rasati, near Koyna, which has been physically seen through cores, present a marvellous geological repository for observations. The megascopic characteristics of various flows and variation in composition have been presented in this paper. The microscopic and geochemical characteristics have been kept out of this communication, as the relevant studies are not completed to draw any conclusion. This study records the presence of granite wash (≈1m thick) over basement and below basalt representing Late Archaean to Cretaceous period hiatus. The basement rocks, presumably of Late Archaean age have been described mega-scopically. A fair picture of sub-surface pre-Deccan topography is shown with the help of borehole data, which confirm the nearly flat topography of pre-Deccan surface especially in this part of the area occupied by 30 flows of Deccan basalt. Correlation of 30 flows with the established stratigraphy has also been attempted for subsurface existence of Ambenali (Upper) and Poladpur Formations of Wai Subgroup in Koyna-Warna area.