Meson decay in an independent quark model

Leptonic decay widths and leptonic decay constants of light vector mesons and weak leptonic decay widths and weak decay constants of light and heavy pseudoscalar mesons have been studied in a field- theoretic framework based on the independent quark model with a scalar- vector power-law potential. The results are in very good agreement with the experimental data.Comment: 13 page

Nanopore sensing at ultra-low concentrations using single molecule dielectrophoretic trapping

Single-molecule techniques are being developed with the exciting prospect of revolutionizing the healthcare industry by generating vast amounts of genetic and proteomic data. One exceptionally promising route is in the use of nanopore sensors. However, a well-known complexity is that detection and capture is predominantly diffusion limited. This problem is compounded when taking into account the capture volume of a nanopore, typically 108–1010 times smaller than the sample volume. To rectify this disproportionate ratio, we demonstrate a simple, yet powerful, method based on coupling single-molecule dielectrophoretic trapping to nanopore sensing. We show that DNA can be captured from a controllable, but typically much larger, volume and concentrated at the tip of a metallic nanopore. This enables the detection of single molecules at concentrations as low as 5 fM, which is approximately a 103 reduction in the limit of detection compared with existing methods, while still maintaining efficient throughput

Quantum state-dependent diffusion and multiplicative noise: a microscopic approach

The state-dependent diffusion, which concerns the Brownian motion of a particle in inhomogeneous media has been described phenomenologically in a number of ways. Based on a system-reservoir nonlinear coupling model we present a microscopic approach to quantum state-dependent diffusion and multiplicative noise in terms of a quantum Markovian Langevin description and an associated Fokker-Planck equation in position space in the overdamped limit. We examine the thermodynamic consistency and explore the possibility of observing a quantum current, a generic quantum effect, as a consequence of this state-dependent diffusion similar to one proposed by B\"{u}ttiker [Z. Phys. B {\bf 68}, 161 (1987)] in a classical context several years ago.Comment: To be published in Journal of Statistical Physics 28 pages, 3 figure

Effective and Economically Viable Organic Agriculture under Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology – A Potential Alternative to Support India Organic Movement

Organic farming has been identified as the road map for food sovereignty, economic security, and alleviation of food toxicity. And, with changing climatic patterns it has become more of a necessity for harnessing both mitigation and adaptation potentials. For sustainable agriculture qualitative developments of soil has been prioritized. But it has been a time taking process, moreover; component wise redressal has not provided much relief considering that still now not even 1% of total agricultural production world over is organic. To reach the objective in a time bound manner, besides healthy soil, healthy plant system has become pre-requisite, as also supported by ‘Trophobiosis theory’ of French scientist F. Chabassou (1985) that depicts ‘Healthy Plants’ as the trump card for successful agriculture. There has been need for a method/ practice/ technology which can etch out the scientific road map towards the objective, at the same time should be Safe, Effective, Complete, Convenient and Economical; i.e., the five foundation pillars for ensuring large scale adoptability. Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology a comprehensive organic package of practice (POP) was developed by Indian Scientist Dr. P. Das Biswas, and has been ensuring sustainable agriculture for more than a decade now. Production of approximately 2.0 million kg certified organic teas annually in a cost- effective manner substantiates its efficacy while recognition of West Jalinga as ‘World’s 1st Carbon Neutral, Organic Tea Garden’ evidences its GHG mitigation and carbon sequestration potentials. FAO-CFC-TBI Project entitled ‘Development, Production and Trade of Organic Tea’ (at Maud Tea Estate, Assam; period: 2008-2013) provided opportunity to test IRF Technology in terms of yield, soil development and economics as compared to all other available organic methods/ POP. Highest yield, speedy soil quality rejuvenation was recorded under IRF Technology at lowest economics and under all growth phases of tea plant viz. mature, young, newly planted and nursery. The comprehensive process of soil and plant energization i.e. invigorating the native soil microflora as well infusion of deficient energy for plant metabolic functions has ensured the universality of IRF Technology. Projects undertaken in collaboration of State/ Central Agricultural Universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in a wide variety of field crops viz. cereals (rain fed and winter paddy, baby corn), pulses (green/ black gram), vegetables (tomato, potato, okra, cauliflower, cabbage, chilli, radish etc.) and exotic vegetables (horse radish, celery, Chinese cabbage, pak choi, broccoli, parsley etc.); have substantiated technological effectiveness. These field trials in diverse ecological regions of West Bengal indicated that yield sustenance/ hike is possible under organic, even from the very first year, and can ensure economic security even without any support price for organic. To evaluate the status of developments proposed under IRF Technology and standardize various components of crop production, several tools have also been developed viz. Compost Quality Index, Soil Quality/ Development Index, SWOT Study, Crop Pesticide Pollution Index, Pesticide Load on Crop, Soil Pesticide Pollution Index, etc. The initiatives and experience under IRF Technology indicate that it can be used as a potent weapon for economically viable, large scale and energy efficient organic farming; especially relevant with India’s commitment towards climate change and GHG mitigation and for tapping the growing export potentials

Assessment of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentrations in few plants near Kathajodi river, Odisha, India

The present study was carried out mainly concentrate on assessment of heavy metal in the surrounding soils and their bioconcentration in the different plants near Kathajodi River. Soil and plant samples were collected along the Kathajodi river, Odisha, India. It was found that the dominance of heavy metals follows a decreasing order. The metal concentrations measured in soil at all location generally decreased in the order; Fe > Mn > Ni> Pb> Cu> Zn> Cd. Highest heavy metal concentration in river bank soil Cd (0.72±0.05 mgkg-1); Ni (3.85±0.15 mgkg-1); Cu (1.66±0.15 mgkg-1); Zn (1.54±0.16 mgkg-1); Pb (4.11±0.14 mgkg-1); Fe (142.0±1.16 mgkg-1); Mn (37.30±1.16 mgkg-1) at different site . Among all the grass species I. laxum has the higher affinity for the accumulation of Cd (0.85±0.05) followed by Zn, Pb and Cu. This study indicates that bio concentration of heavy metals in the study area show preferential Cd uptake in the plants followed by Zn, Pb and it may lead to accumulates in the exposed plant part posing risk along the food chain. This calls for immediate action to be implemented to carry out necessary environment mitigation measures for the river as it can be attributed the discharge of untreated domestic waste and effluents in the river

Fish Waste Bio-Refinery Products: Its application in Organic Farming

Fish waste biomasses are locally available resources which contain nutrients. Fermentation of the biomass produces slurries used for plankton production and plant/agri-nutri use. Bio-refinery of fish waste material can be converted into value added biological products such as biofuels, industrial chemicals, animal and fish feed, human food, neutraceuticals and organic fertilizer, etc. Fish processing waste could be regarded as a promising renewable biomass resource for bio-refineries. Hydrolysis of fish waste is aimed primarily at industrial applications of the process. Low cost and simplicity of operation by reducing the cost of material, energy consumption and labour, but maintaining high productivity are some of the important attributes at the industrial application process. Fish hydrolysate generally shows a beneficial effect on growth performances and feed utilization at low inclusion levels. The performance is postulated to be due to the balance of free amino acids, peptides and proteins in digestion, absorption and utilization

Evaluation of an organic package of practice towards integrated management of Solanum tuberosum and its comparison with conventional farming in terms of yield, quality, energy efficiency and economics

A study was taken up during 2014-16 for evaluating the potential of an organic package of practice towards integrated crop production (green farming) in comparison to conventional farmers’ practice in West Bengal, India. Under green farming, compost was integrated with chemical fertilizer for soil management while organic plant/ pest management was undertaken utilizing Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology. The study indicated higher yield (9.7 %), higher nutrient use efficiency and economic sustainability under green farming irrespective of study area or potato variety. Higher qualitative expression in terms of starch content, pulp pH, vitamin C etc. under green farming might be due to the organic plant management aimed at energization of plant biochemical functions. Soil quality development as noted under green farming might have been influenced by the on-farm produced compost containing rich self- generated micro flora (in order of 1016 per colony forming unit.). The study indicated that green farming may serve as an efficient substitute of conventional farming towards yield sustenance, abatement of food toxicity and quality end product; through higher use of renewable energy and activation of plant physiological functions

Evaluation of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology as an Effective Organic Option for Large Scale Paddy Cultivation in Farmer’s Field – A Case Study from Kowgachi-II Gram Panchayat, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Comparative study of Chemical (Farmer’s Practice) and Organic (under Inhana Rational Farming Technology developed by visionary scientist, Dr. P. Das Biswas, Founder, Inhana Biosciences, Kolkata) aman paddy (rainfed) cultivation was conducted at farmers’ field under large scale production in Mathurapur village, Kowgachi-II Gram Panchayat, North 24 Parganas of West Bengal during crop year 2012 – 2013. Farmers from the village volunteered in the programme under encouragement from local gram panchyat towards hand on experience regarding effectivity of organic farming system in paddy. Compost was prepared locally using Novcom composting (Developed by Inhana Biosciences) method by the project farmers taking poultry litter as raw material. Well matured compost was prepared (as indicated by brownish colour and earthy smell) within 20 days. Analysis of compost quality as per standard guideline confirmed its high quality. Total nutrient content (NPK) was varied from 3.86 to 4.74 percent (on dry weight basis) with microbial population in the range of 1016 c.f.u per gram moist compost; which was significantly higher than reference value as obtained for poultry compost. CO2 evolution rate (mean 2.74 mgCO2 – C/g OM/day) and phytotoxicity bioassay test value (mean 0.82) tallied with ideal standard range, confirming the maturity and non- phytotoxicity of the compost. Aman (rain fed) Paddy (Oriza sativa) variety Khitish and Minikit -3654 were used for the study. These two varieties were taken considering their common usage by the farmers of the Block. Seeds of Khitish variety were sourced from Gram Panchayat as provided by Government of West Bengal, while Minikit-3654 was sourced as foundation seed developed by Monduri Farm, BCKV, State Agricultural University, West Bengal, India. Agronomic components in terms of numbers of tillers/hill, productive panicles/m2, filled grains/panicle and 1000 grains weight (g) of organically grown paddy was comparatively higher than conventionally grown paddy and its cumulative effect was considered in terms of total yield under two different management systems. In case of paddy variety Minikit- 3654 yield under organic practice (i.e., Inhana Rational Farming Technology) varied from 3375 kg/ha to 4125 kg/ha with average value of 3750 kg/ha while 3000 kg/ha to 3750 kg/ha with mean value of 3563 kg/ha under conventional chemical practice. In case of Khitish variety yield under organic (i.e. under Inhana Rational Farming) was almost at par to chemical farming practice and varied from 3750 kg/ha to 4500 kg/ha with a mean value of 4125 kg/ha. Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) in terms of partial factor productivity (PFP) was higher in case of Khitish variety in comparison to Minikit-3654 irrespective of the practice undertaken. However, in both cases, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) was higher under organic practice which may be due to better N mineralization from Novcom compost as well as better N uptake efficiency of the plants under IRF Plant Management Package. This is perhaps significant because the nutrient availability is considered as a limiting factor under organic soil management particularly under waterlogged condition and in the soil which has been applied with synthetic fertilizers for many years. In terms of soil quality development, organic package of practice has shown positive indication towards enhancement of soil quality component like soil pH, available NPK and specially soil microflora enhancement where as under conventional practice no such variations were noted. There is higher net income in case of Minikit variety but as the cost of cultivation under Inhana Rational Farming being is almost similar to chemical farming practice, there is potential for further higher net income if the produce is sold at even 10 percent premium price as organic item. The technology has most convincingly demonstrated its potential to ensure successful organic paddy cultivation in the most cost- effective manner and can definitely bring about economic prosperity among the farming community if adopted on a further larger scale. Significantly all these results were achieved in the very first year of application. The ecological and social cost of industrial agriculture, if considered; then this performance certainly promises clear potential towards sustainable organic cultivation for resource poor and marginal farmers

Evaluation of Inhana Rational Farming (IRF) Technology as a Cost Effective Organic Cultivation Method in Farmer’s Field

Inhana rational farming (IRF) technology was studied as an organic package of practice in farmers’ field using green gram (Samrat: PDM-84-139) as test crop. The study was conducted at Binuria village in Birbhum district of West Bengal during the crop season of 2013–14. The study area lies in 23.66°N and 87.63°E at about 179 ft above MSL, with level to nearly level landscape. The experiment was laid down as per randomized block design (RBD) with seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments included local farming practice with chemical inputs, organic package of practice (Inhana Rational Farming [IRF] Technology developed by Dr. P. Das Biswas, Founder, Inhana Biosciences, Kolkata) as well as integrated farming practice (combination of chemical and organic inputs for both soil and plant management). Compost application was an integral part of soil management under the studied organic package of practice (POP) and the same was produced on farm using Novcom composting method (developed by Dr. P. Das Biswas, Founder, Inhana Biosciences, Kolkata). Evaluation of the biodegradation process along with quality analysis of its end product (Novcom compost) indicated that Novcom composting method could serve as an effective alternative for conversion of agro waste into good quality end product. Highest greengram production was obtained under chemical and organic soil input integration @ 75:25 along with organic plant management (Yield: 715 kg/ha) followed by 100% organic (Yield: 699 kg/ha) and chemical farming practice (Yield: 665 kg/ha). At the same time, gross income under organic POP was higher than that that obtained under conventional farming practice. Comparison of value cost ratio (VCR) under integrated management vis-à-vis chemical practice confirmed better scope for economic sustainability when chemical pesticides/growth parameters were replaced by organic plant management inputs; as compared to application of chemical alone. Post harvest soil analysis showed that the plots receiving Novcom compost showed an overall positive trend in soil quality specially in terms of soil biological parameters. The findings indicated that IRF technology as an organic POP can serve as an economically viable option for large scale adoption in farmers’ field