Neutron Diffraction Studies on Chemical and Magnetic Structure of Multiferroic PbFe0.67W0.33O3

We report on the single phase synthesis and room temperature structural characterization of PbFe0.67W0.33O3 (PFW) multiferroic. The PFW was synthesized by low temperature sintering, Columbite method. Analysis of powder XRD pattern exhibits single phase formation of PFW with no traces of pyrochlore phase. Detailed analysis of room temperature neutron diffraction (ND) reveals cubic phase at room temperature, space group Pm-3m. The ND pattern clearly reveals magnetic Bragg peak at 2theeta = 18.51 (Q = 1.36{\AA}-1). The refinement of magnetic structure reveals G-type antiferromagnetic structure in PFW at room temperature. The dielectric constant and loss tangent decreases with increasing frequency. The room temperature P-E measurements shows a non-linear slim hysteresis, typical nature of relaxor multiferroics, with saturation and remnant polarizations of Ps = 1.50 microC/cm2 and Pr = 0.40 microC/cm2, respectively.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, conferenc

Land Use/Land Cover Change Detection by Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing Imageries: Bangalore City India (1992-2012)

Land use and land cover (LULC) changes is a dynamic, widespread and accelerating process, mainly driven by natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities, which in turn drives changes that world impact natural ecosystem. Change detection is one of the landscape ecological aims. Main aim of this study is to prepare land use land cover and their change detections by using remote sensing and GIS techniques. This paper presents the land use/land cover changes that have taken place in Bangalore, from 1992 to 2012.The study has been done through Landsat & IRS imagery from 1992, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2012. The land use and land cover classification maps were prepared through remote sensing and GIS technology. The results indicate that there was a significant increasing trend in built up land and decreasing trend in agricultural lan

Intracardiac Calcification - An Interesting Chest X-ray Report.

We report a case of chest X-ray finding of mitral annular calcification. Mitral annular calcification is a degenerative process involving the fibrous annulus of the mitral valve. It is generally an incidental finding associated with aging and atherosclerosis. It may lead to significant mitral regurgitation and can rarely cause symptomatic mitral stenosis. In addition, mitral annulus calcification may be associated with atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmia. Calcification of mitral annulus in the chest X-ray generally follows the C-shape of the mitral annulus. Confirmation is by echocardiography. Symptomatic cases require repair by surgery

Cost Effectiveness of Rainwater Harvesting for Groundwater Recharge in Micro-Watersheds of Kolar District of India: The Case Study of Thotli Micro-Watershed

This study has estimated the supply augmentation of groundwater recharge due to creation of water harvesting structures and has assessed the cost-effectiveness of rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge on watershed basis in one of the sub-watersheds of the Kolar district, Peninsular India — a typically hard-rock area. The study is based on the primary data for the year 2008-09 collected from a sample of 90 farmers having irrigation bore-wells in the selected watershed named Thotli. The study has indicated that the annual draft of irrigation water exceeds the annual recharge, causing a negative balance. On an average, the returns per rupee investment have been found to be ` 1.80 on farm pond, ` 1.78 on recharge pit and ` 1.39 on field bund. The cost incurred to impound a metre cube of water has been found as ` 3.01 in the case of field bund, where estimated recharge benefit is 5.6 m3, ` 1.67 /m3 in the case of recharge pit (with an estimated recharge benefit of 720 m3), and ` 1.33 /m3 in the case of farm pond (recharge benefit of 1350 m3). The discounted cost-benefit analysis of the investment on water harvesting structures has indicated that the investment on water harvesting structures is cost-effective and financially-viable.Rainwater harvesting, Economic feasibility, Groundwater recharge, Watershed, Agricultural and Food Policy, Q15, Q25,

Water Quality Index Mapping of Kengeri Industrial Area of Bangalore City Using Geospatial Analysis

Assessment of groundwater quality is essential in the field of environmental quality management. The present study aims at the assessment of groundwater quality of Kengeri industrial area, comprises of 133.95 Sq Km, in Bangalore city with the help of water quality index (WQI).The groundwater samples collected from thirty locations were analyzed as per the standard methods. pH, total hardness, iron, chloride, fluoride, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and nitrate were considered for the study. The WQI of thirty samples were ranged between 0.92 and 361.41. Nearly 24 % of the samples exceeded the value of WQI 100. The high value of WQI may be attributed due to higher concentrations of iron, nitrate, total dissolved solids, total hardness and fluorides beyond desirable limits in the groundwater samples. During post monsoon season, groundwater of about 42.78 Sq Km area was unfit for drinking. The analysis reveals that the groundwater of south-west Kengeri industrial area needs some treatment before using it for domestic applications and it also necessitates for protection from the risk of further contaminatio

Impacts and Implications of MGNREGA on Labour Supply and Income Generation for Agriculture in Central Dry Zone of Karnataka

This study has evaluated the impact of MGNREGA on income generation and labour supply in agriculture in one of the districts in central dry zone of Karnataka. Results have shown that the number of days worked in a year with the implementation of MGNREGA programme has significantly increased to 201 days, reflecting 16 per cent increase. Regression analysis has revealed that gender, education and family size of the workers are the significant factors influencing the worker’s employment under the Program. The increase in income is to the tune of 9.04 per cent due to additional employment generated from MGNERGA. In the total income, the contribution of agriculture is the highest (63%), followed by non-agricultural income (29%) and MGNREGA income (8%). Implementation of MGNERGA works has led to labour scarcity to the tune of 53 per cent and 30 per cent for agriculture operations like weeding and sowing, respectively. There has been a decline in area for labour-intensive crops like tomato and ragi to the extent of 30 per cent due to MGNERGA implementation.MGNREGA, Labour supply, Labour scarcity, Income generation, Employment, Agricultural and Food Policy, J21, J22, J31,