Finite-β effects on the radiative thermal instability in magnetized plasmas

The radiative thermal instability is investigated taking into account finite-, or electromagnetic, effects. The two-fluid model for magnetized plasmas together with the Maxwell equations are used to derive a general dispersion relation valid for compressional perturbations with frequency below the electron-cyclotron frequency. The growth rates of the radiative thermal instabilities involving fast magnetosonic flute-like and low-frequency hydromagnetic perturbations are presented.     

Evaluation of twenty four new Gossypium hirsutum strains for growth, yield, fibre quality and ClCuV resistance under environment of Punjab, Pakistan

Twenty four new strains were tested for their yield, quality and Leaf Curl Virus (ClCuV) resistance. NIAB-111/S, NIAB-98 and NIAB-999 were significantly high fruit bearing varieties at 90 days completing 59.54, 48.26 and 46.00% fruiting respectively. Seed cotton yield of VH-142 was highest with 5417 kgha^?1 and 52 per plant boll bearing, DNH-57 and NIAB-999 remained second and third with 5234 and 5095 kg ha^?1 seed cotton yield, respectively. BH-160 and CRIS-467 were found to be second and third highest boll bearing varieties with 50.97 and 40.20 per plant average bolls respectively. Plant height in CRIS-467, MNH-642 and SLH-224 was significantly higher in comparison to other varieties.NIAB-98, CIM-499 and CIM-506 were found short stature varieties in comparison with other but out of these NIAB-98 and CIM-506 were in high yielding position and CIM-499 was found medium yielder variety. GOT% of MNH-642 remained highest having value of 45.00%. While GOT%. of NIBGE-1, CRIS-168 and CRIS-467 was at lowest position with 35.73, 35.89 and 36.62% respectively. NIAB-111, CIM-499 and BH-160 were at first position in terms of fibre fineness with micronaire values 3.98, 4.00 and 4.07 ìg/inch having fibre length 28.53, 31.38 and 30.23 mm respectively. Out of 26 varieties, 16 varieties resulted maturity index in the range of 85.03% and 90.30% with highest maturity index in case of NIBGE-1 (i.e. 90.30%) followed by NIAB-999 and MNH-642 with 89.55 and 85.5% respectively.CRIS-168, CRIS-468 and CRIS-467 were found viral susceptible.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Jura granite and granite gneiss in the Neelum Valley,Lesser Himalayas (Kashmir,Pakistan)

Late Proterozoic rocks of Tanol Formation in the Lesser Himalayas of Neelum Valley area are largely green schist to amphibolite facies rocks intruded by early Cambrian Jura granite gneiss and Jura granite representing Pan-African orogeny event in the area. These rocks are further intruded by pegmatites of acidic composition, aplites, and dolerite dykes. Based on field observations, texture, and petrographic character, three different categories of granite gneiss (i.e., highly porphyritic, coarse-grained two micas granite gneiss, medium-grained two micas granite gneiss, and leucocratic tourmaline-bearing muscovite granite gneiss), and granites (i.e., highly porphyritic coarse-grained two micas granite, medium-grained two micas granite, and leucocratic tourmaline-bearing coarse-grained muscovite granite) were classified. Thin section studies show that granite gneiss and granite are formed due to fractional crystallization, as revealed by zoning in plagioclase. The Al saturation index indicates that granite gneiss and granite are strongly peraluminous and S-type. Geochemical analysis shows that all granite gneisses are magnesian except one which is ferroan whereas all granites are ferroan except one which is magnesian. The CaO/Na₂O ratio (>0.3) indicates that granitic melt of Jura granite gneiss and granite is pelite-psammite derived peraluminous granitic melt formed due to partial melting of Tanol Formation. The rare earth element (REE) patterns of the Jura granite and Jura granite gneiss indicate that granitic magma of Jura granite and Jura granite gneiss is formed due to partial melting of rocks that are similar in composition to that of upper continental crust.     

Geospatial assessment of soil erosion intensity and sediment yield: a case study of Potohar Region,Pakistan

Estimation of spatial extent of soil erosion, one of the most serious forms of land degradation, is critical because soil erosion has serious implications on soil fertility, water ecosystem, crop productivity and landscape beauty. The primary objective of the current study was to assess and map the soil erosion intensity and sedimentation yield of Potohar region of Pakistan. Potohar is the rainfed region with truncated and complex topography lying at the top of the Indus Basin, the world’s largest irrigation networks of canals and barrages. Spatially explicit Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) Model integrated with Remote Sensing-GIS techniques was used for detecting/mapping of erosion prone areas and quantification of soil losses. The results show that the Potohar region is highly susceptible to soil erosion with an average annual soil loss of 19 tons ha^?1 year^?1 of which the maximum erosion (70–208 tons ha^?1 year^?1) was near the river channels and hilly areas. The sediment yield due to the erosion is as high as 148 tons ha^?1 year^?1 with an average of 4.3 tons ha^?1 year^?1. It was found that 2.06% of the total area falls under severe soil erosion, 13.34% under high erosion, 15.35% under moderate soil erosion while 69.25% of the area lies in the low (tolerable) soil erosion. Chakwal and Jhelum districts of the region are seriously affected by erosion owing to their topography and soil properties. The information generated in this study is a step forward towards proper planning and implementation of strategies to control the erosion and for protection of natural resources. It is, hence, necessary that suitable water harvesting structures be made to control water to prevent soil erosion and provision of water in the lean season in this region. Tree plantation and other erosion control practices such as strip cropping can also minimize soil erosion in this region.     

Detrital apatite fission track constraints on Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China: Evidence from Cenozoic strata in Lulehe section,Northern Qaidam Basin

The Northern Qaidam Basin is located at the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. It contains very thick Cenozoic terrestrial clastic sediments, which records the formation of the northern Qaidam Basin due to compressional deformation during the Indo-Asian collision. In this paper, we used detrital apatite fission-track thermochronology, including 4 sandstones and 2 conglomerates samples from the Lulehe section, to reveal the Cenozoic evolution of the northern Qaidam Basin. Fission-track dating indicated the source region of the Lulehe section has experienced important cooling and uplifting in the Late Cretaceous (at ~85.1 Ma and ~65 Ma) and the Eocene (~52 Ma), respectively. The AFT age distribution on the section suggested that the provenance of Lulehe section sediments were mainly derived from the south Qilian Shan (Qilian Mountains) and Altun Shan (Altun Mountains), and two significantly provenance changes may occur at 43.4-46.1 Ma and ~37.8 Ma, respectively. The results may have strong constrains on the Cenozoic deformation and tectonic evolution of the northern Qaidam Basin and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.     

Compressive and rarefactive double layers in non-uniform plasma with $$-nonextensive distributed electrons

Electrostatic solitary waves and double layers (DLs) formed by the coupled ion acoustic (IA) and drift waves have been investigated in non-uniform plasma using \(q\)-nonextensive distribution function for the electrons and assuming ions to be cold \(T_{i}< T_{e}\). It is found that both compressive and rarefactive nonlinear structures (solitary waves and DLs) are possible in such a system. The steeper gradients are supportive for compressive solitary (and double layers) and destructive for rarefactive ones. The \(q\)-nonextensivity parameter \(q\) and the magnitudes of gradient scale lengths of density and temperature have significant effects on the amplitude of the double layers (and double layers) as well as on the speed of these structures. This theoretical model is general which has been applied here to the \(F\)-region ionosphere for illustration.     

Comparative analysis of bacterial contamination in tap and groundwater: A case study on water quality of Quetta City,an arid zone in Pakistan

Water is an essential element on earth, which provides human a variety of services in domestic use, agriculture, or industries. However, some serious health risks of drinking water are associated with microbial contamination, particularly with fecal matter. Therefore, microbial quality assessment is considered to be a necessary component of water quality assessment. This study investigates microbial contamination of water distributary system around the city by comparing groundwater (GW) and tap water (TW) quality in Quetta city. 31 GW samples and 31 TW samples were collected in the study area during the months of September, October, and November. Fecal coliform test was carried out in laboratory and their average total coliform contamination was computed. Results showed that the TW sample were all contaminated by coliform except for Chiltan town, hence are not considered suitable for drinking without any treatment according to WHO drinking water quality standards. The average coliform concentrations were 12 in Quetta main city, 11.6 in Jinnah town, 5.3 in Satallite town, 10 in Shahbaz town and 5 in Brewery town (0/100 mL CFU) and the TW samples from the three towns were even more contaminated with E.coli. Whereas among the GW, average microbial concentrations were 1.8 in Quetta main city, 2 in Satallite town, 1.4 in Shahbaz town, and 0.4 in Chiltan town (0/100 mL CFU), respectively, which shows that the contamination is occurring within the water distributary pipeline system when the water flows through the pipelines. Moreover, this research will be valuable for researchers and administrative authorities to conduct elaborative studies, and develop new policies to prevent further deterioration of drinking water in the water distribution system by pathogenic microorganisms and ensure safe drinking water to the public of Quetta city.