Scattering of a spherical pulse from a small inhomogeneity: Dilatation and rotation

Perturbations in elastic constants and density distinguish a volume inhomogeneity from its homogeneous surroundings. The equation of motion for the first order scattering is studied in the perturbed medium. The scattered waves are generated by the interaction between the primary waves and the inhomogeneity. First order scattering theory is modified to include the source term generating the primary waves. The body force equivalent to the scattering source is presented in a convenient form involving the perturbations in wave velocities and gradient of density perturbation. A procedure is presented to study the scattering of a spherical pulse from a small inhomogeneity, in time domain. The size of inhomogeneity is assumed small as compared to its distance from source and receiver. No restrictions are placed on the positions of source, receiver and inhomogeneity. The dilatation and rotations are calculated for a pulse scattered from an arbitrary point in a spherical volume. The aggregate of the scattered phases from all the points of the inhomogeneity, reaching at a fixed receiver, gives the amount of scattering from the inhomogeneity. The interaction of bothP andS waves with inhomogeneity are considered. Dilatation and rotations for scattering are obtained as integral expressions over the solid angle of inhomogeneity. These expressions are computed numerically, for hypothetical models. The effects of source (unit force) orientations, velocity and density perturbations, and size of inhomogeneity, on the scattered phases, are discussed.     

Risk,perception and adaptation to climate change: evidence from arid region,India

The paper contributes to the growing literature highlighting the significance of assessing risk and vulnerability, micro-level perceptions and adaptation decision-making in building resilience of farm communities to climate change in dryland region of India. To select a region for grassroots enquiry, spatial differential in risk to climate change was assessed in Rajasthan, using IPCC AR5 framework. Among the highly vulnerable and risky districts, Bikaner district was selected for elicitation of micro-level imperatives. Rising atmospheric temperature, inter-seasonal displacements of rainfall and recurrence of extreme events were perceived by the farmers resulting in resource degradation, production risks and erosion of households’ socio-economic dynamics. As risk preventive measures, suitable adjustment in agricultural practices, natural resource management, shift to off-farm activities and other relief measures were adopted by the farmers. Farmer’s choice of adaptation was influenced by several climatic, socio-economic and infrastructural & institutional factors in varying degree. Moreover, several financial, economic, infrastructural and informational bottlenecks to adaptations were reported during household survey and FGDs. The results suggest that capturing grassroots evidence is crucial for directing locally tailored adaptation strategies, along with the improving deficiencies in the developmental pathways for climate-resilient agriculture.

     

An assessment of Dungale landslide using remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS), ground penetration radar (GPR), and Slide & RS2 Softwares

Natural Hazards - In the present study, slope stability analysis was done using limit equilibrium method and finite element method of the Dungale landslide situated in the NW Himalaya along Tons...     

Petro-chemical investigation of some perhydrous Indian coals

An attempt has been made to study the petro-chemical characteristics of some high sulphur sub-bituminous coal samples from Makum coalfield, Assam, India. The proximate and ultimate analyes were carried out and forms of sulphur were determined and their relationships with the Maceral constituents (vitrinite, liptinite, and inertinite) were investigated. The macerals (vitrinite+liptinite+inertinite) have significant relationships (R²>0.500) with volatile matter and carbon, whereas weak correlations were seen with rest of the physico-chemical characteristics of the coals. The study reveals that these coals are rich in vitrinites and sulphur and are aromatic in nature. These coals have good hydrocarbon potential.     

Use of Landsat Thematic Mapper for urban land use/land cover mapping

Visual interpretation of Landsat Thematic Mapper data coupled with ground checking has been used to extract information for urban areas. The emphasis has been given on development of land use/land cover scheme and image interpretation keys for interpretation and delineation purposes using satellite remote sensing data. Lucknow city and its surroundings have been studied to evaluate the usefulness and potentiality of satellite data particularly Landsat Thematic Mapper for urban area studies. This study has demonstrated that remote sensing can provide a valuable tool for urban data acquisition.     

On the affinity of Chuaria–Tawuia complex: A multidisciplinary study

In this study, biometric and structural engineering tool have been used to examine a possible relationship within Chuaria–Tawuia complex and micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analyses to understand the biological affinity of Chuaria circularis Walcott, collected from the Mesoproterozoic Suket Shales of the Vindhyan Supergroup and the Neoproterozoic Halkal Shales of the Bhima Group of peninsular India. Biometric analyses of well preserved carbonized specimens show wide variation in morphology and uni-modal distribution. We believe and demonstrate to a reasonable extent that C. circularis most likely was a part of Tawuia-like cylindrical body of algal origin. Specimens with notch/cleft and overlapping preservation, mostly recorded in the size range of 3–5 mm, are of special interest. Five different models proposed earlier on the life cycle of C. circularis are discussed. A new model, termed as ‘Hybrid model’ based on present multidisciplinary study assessing cylindrical and spherical shapes suggesting variable cell wall strength and algal affinity is proposed. This model discusses and demonstrates varied geometrical morphologies assumed by Chuaria and Tawuia, and also shows the inter-relationship of Chuaria–Tawuia complex.Structural engineering tool (thin walled pressure vessel theory) was applied to investigate the implications of possible geometrical shapes (sphere and cylinder), membrane (cell wall) stresses and ambient pressure environment on morphologically similar C. circularis and Tawuia. The results suggest that membrane stresses developed on the structures similar to Chuaria–Tawuia complex were directly proportional to radius and inversely proportional to the thickness in both cases. In case of hollow cylindrical structure, the membrane stresses in circumferential direction (hoop stress) are twice of the longitudinal direction indicating that rupture or fragmentation in the body of Tawuia would have occurred due to hoop stress. It appears that notches and discontinuities seen in some of the specimens of Chuaria may be related to rupture suggesting their possible location in 3D Chuaria.The micro-FTIR spectra of C. circularis are characterized by both aliphatic and aromatic absorption bands. The aliphaticity is indicated by prominent alkyl group bands between 2800–3000 and 1300–1500 cm⁻¹. The prominent absorption signals at 700–900 cm⁻¹ (peaking at 875 and 860 cm⁻¹) are due to aromatic CH out of plane deformation. A narrow, strong band is centred at 1540 cm⁻¹ which could be COOH band. The presence of strong aliphatic bands in FTIR spectra suggests that the biogeopolymer of C. circularis is of aliphatic nature. The wall chemistry indicates the presence of ‘algaenan’—a biopolymer of algae.     

Recent studies on surface water–groundwater relationships at hydro‐projects in India using environmental isotopes

Environmental isotopes (²H or D, ¹⁸O, ³H), along with geology, hydrochemistry and in situ physicochemical parameters (EC, T, DO, pH) were employed to study surface water (reservoir, lake)–groundwater (spring) relationships at (1) Nagewadi, a minor irrigation project in the State of Maharashtra, Western India; (2) Kanhirapuzha reservoir in the State of Kerala, Southern India and (3) Ghatghar Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the State of Maharashtra, Western India for the purpose of understanding the seepage/leakage and its associated problems. The studies concluded that the springs found downstream of the Nagewadi project originate from the reservoir and not from the abutments or shallow aquifers. The Kanhirapuzha reservoir receives a substantial base‐flow component compared to riverine inputs. The reason for the water‐logging problem at a nearby downstream village during the non‐summer periods is due to the change in the upstream groundwater flow direction under reservoir filling conditions and is not due to reservoir leakage. Most of the springs in the approach tunnel to the underground power house of the Ghatghar Project originate from the lower reservoir and not from the upper reservoir or the overburden rock matrix. The above case studies illustrate the diversity of environmental isotope applications in surface water (reservoir, lake)–groundwater (spring) relationships related to sustainability of hydro‐projects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atmospheric temperature profile for a tropical region from TIROS-N microwave sounding unit

Atmospheric temperature profiles have been derived using 53·74 GHz, 54·96 GHz and 57·95 GHz channels data from the Microwave Sounding Unit onboard TIROS-N. For this purpose regression coefficients have been derived using MONEX-79 radiosonde data during the period May to July 1979. The temperature profiles derived at a few selected places were closer to radiosonde profiles than the profiles derived using standard regression coefficients for the tropical region supplied by NOAA.