Hybrid Gaussian-cubic radial basis functions for scattered data interpolation

Scattered data interpolation schemes using kriging and radial basis functions (RBFs) have the advantage of being meshless and dimensional independent; however, for the datasets having insufficient observations, RBFs have the advantage over geostatistical methods as the latter requires variogram study and statistical expertise. Moreover, RBFs can be used for scattered data interpolation with very good convergence, which makes them desirable for shape function interpolation in meshless methods for numerical solution of partial differential equations. For interpolation of large datasets, however, RBFs in their usual form, lead to solving an ill-conditioned system of equations, for which, a small error in the data can cause a significantly large error in the interpolated solution. In order to reduce this limitation, we propose a hybrid kernel by using the conventional Gaussian and a shape parameter independent cubic kernel. Global particle swarm optimization method has been used to analyze the optimal values of the shape parameter as well as the weight coefficients controlling the Gaussian and the cubic part in the hybridization. Through a series of numerical tests, we demonstrate that such hybridization stabilizes the interpolation scheme by yielding a far superior implementation compared to those obtained by using only the Gaussian or cubic kernels. The proposed kernel maintains the accuracy and stability at small shape parameter as well as relatively large degrees of freedom, which exhibit its potential for scattered data interpolation and intrigues its application in global as well as local meshless methods for numerical solution of PDEs.     

Practices of participation in coastal area management: Experience from Kenya

This paper explores a development intervention, discourses involved and people's encounter at the interfaces during interaction and negotiation processes in everyday project life. It aims to get insight in the participatory intervention; how participatory is it and what is the intention behind the concept? This ethnography of an ongoing program in Kenya concludes that creation of participatory projects is a strategy of development practitioners to have high-rated evaluation of the project for donor funding but, in practice, the concept of participation is used by actors according to their interest and need.     

Toxicity of Nickel to a Fresh Water Teleost,Colisa fasciatus

The acute toxicity of nickel sulphate to Colisa fasciatus has been evaluated by static bioassay experiments. The LC 50 values of nickel for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were computed to be 96.12, 60.18, 24.45 and 16.72 mg/1, respectively. Their 95 % confidence limits have also been investigated.     

Toxic Impact of Hexavalent Chromium on the BLOOD Pyruvate of Colisa fasciatus

The blood pyruvate levels of a freshwater tropical teleost Colisa fasciatus were investigated from 3 to 96 h following sublethal intoxication of 48 ppm hexavalent chromium. The blood pyruvate levels rose at every time period studied from 3… 96 h. A statistically significant elevation is observed from 24 h and progresses up to 96 h. The maximum elevation of 92.86% has been recorded at 72 h (p<0.001).     

Spherical mhd shock waves under the action of monochromatic radiation

Self-similar MHD shock waves have been studied under the action of monochromatic radiation into a non-uniform stellar atmosphere with a constant intensity on unit area. It has been assumed that the radiation flux moves through the gas. Variation of flow variables have heen shown in tables for two different cases.     

Exact solution of a problem in a stellar atmosphere using the Laplace transform and the Wiener-Hopf technique

The general equation for radiative transfer of line scattering intensity — including the effects of scattering, absorption and thermal emission — in the Milne-Eddington model is considered here. The scattering function is assumed to be quadratically anisotropic in the cosine of the scattering angle, and Planck's intensity function is assumed for thermal emission. The exact solutions for emergent intensity from the bounding face and the intensity at any optical depth are obtained by the method of the Laplace transform in combination with the Wiener-Hopf technique.     

A mapping finite element method for stress calculation in two-dimensions

A mapping finite element method is proposed for the solution of elastic problems in two-dimensions. This method, based on the logarithmic condensation of physical space, is found to give significantly greater accuracy than when the problem is solved in the physical plane using the standard FEM. Logarithmic condensation of space also permits the solution of large aspect-ratio problems of this type, accurately and economically.     

Propagation of cylindrical shock waves under the action of monochromatic radiation

A model of cylindrical shock waves is investigated under the action of monochromatic radiation into non-uniform stellar interiors with a constant intensity on a unit area. We have assumed that the radiation flux moves through the gas.     

From Nearby Low Luminosity AGN to High Redshift Radio Galaxies: Science Interests with Square Kilometre Array

We present detailed science cases that a large fraction of the Indian AGN community is interested in pursuing with the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). These interests range from understanding low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the nearby Universe to powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts. Important unresolved science questions in AGN physics are discussed. Ongoing low-frequency surveys with the SKA pathfinder telescope GMRT, are highlighted.