Neutrino parameters from matter effects in PeeP_{ee} at long baselines

We show that the earth matter effects in the ${\rm {\nu_e \to \nu_e}}$ survival probability can be used to cleanly determine the third leptonic mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ and the sign of the atmospheric neutrino mass squared difference, $\Delta m^2_{31}$, using a $\beta$-beam as a $\nu_e$ source.Comment: 4 pages, 4 eps figures; comments and references added, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Circuits for Optical Based Line of Sight Voice Communication

We present here line of sight communication between a person and his neighbour with the help of optical signal produced by a laser torch which act as a carrier. It is therefore a wireless communication and the transmission can go up to 500 meters. We used photodiode to receive the signal at the receiver. The transmitter circuit comprises condenser microphone transistor amplifier BC547 followed by an op-amp stage built around µA741. When we give a voice signal from the mike, it converts the voice signal into the electrical signal. This electrical signal is fed to IC741 (op-amp) for amplification. The gain of the op-amp can be controlled with the help of 1-mega-ohm potentiometer. The AF output from IC is coupled to the base of a class B amplifier which, in turn, modulates the signal. The transmitter uses 5V power supply. However, the 3-volt laser torch (after removal of its battery) can be directly connected to the circuit-with the body of the torch connected to the class B. The photodiode converts the optical signal into electrical signal and again this signal is amplified using IC741 and a combination of class B push pull amplifiers. The receiver circuit uses an NPN photodiode as the light sensor that is followed by a two-stage transistor preamplifier and IC741 based audio Power amplifier. The receiver does not need any complicated alignment. Just keep the photodiode oriented towards the remote transmitter's laser point and adjust the volume control for a clear sound. The sensor must not directly face the sun

Micronutrients: A Current Status and its Symptoms on Crops

Micronutrients are essential for the normal growth of plants. Deficiencies of micronutrient drastically affect the growth, metabolism and reproductive phase in plants, animal and human beings. Wide spread deficiencies of micronutrients has been found in Indian soils. About 3 billion people in the world are affected with micronutrient malnutrition. Crop plants requires 17 nutrient elements viz. C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B, Mo, Cl and Ni for completing their life cycle. Out of these last eight elements are micronutrients that are needed in very less amount for crops but these are equally important as that of macronutrients. Management of micronutrients deficiencies in view of decline in production of major crops is a cause of concern that requires immediate attention. Production of adequate food grain from the finite land resources to feed the burgeoning population is a great challenge in the years to come

DNA barcoding Indian marine fishes

DNA barcoding has been adopted as a global bio-identification system for animals in recent years. A major national programme on DNA barcoding of fish and marine life was initiated in India by the authors during 2006 and 115 species of marine fish covering Carangids, Clupeids, Scombrids, Groupers, Sciaenids, Silverbellies, Mullids, Polynemids and Silurids representing 79 Genera and 37 Families from the Indian Ocean have been barcoded for the first time using cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI) of the mtDNA. The species were represented by multiple specimens and a total of 397 sequences were generated. After amplification and sequencing of 707 base pair fragment of COI, primers were trimmed which invariably generated a 655 base pair barcode sequence. The average Kimura two parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera, families, orders were 0.30%, 6.60%, 9.91%, 16.00%, respectively. In addition to barcode-based species identification system, phylogenetic relationships among the species have also been attempted. The neighbour-joining tree revealed distinct clusters in concurrence with the taxonomic status of the species

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic

Formulation and characterization of chewable tablets of paracetamol and metoclopramide hydrochloride

The present study was aimed to formulate and characterized chewable tablets of Paracetamol and Metoclopramide hydrochloride. Paracetamol and Metoclopramide hydrochloride is an oral fixed dose combination for the preparation of chewable tablets used to treat the symptoms of migraine as it comply with physicochemical properties require to improve the effectiveness of therapeutic agent, better bioavailability, improved patient acceptance (especially pediatrics) through pleasant taste, patient convenience; need no water for swallowing, fasten the absorption of drug and for rapid onset of action. The investigation was carried out to study the effect of different proportion of Avicel 101, Avicel 102 and moringa gum, which are superdisintegrating agents. The chewable tablets of Paracetamol and Metoclopramide hydrochloride were prepared by wet granulation method. Several physicochemical parameters like thickness, diameter, hardness, %weight variation, %loss in weight, drug content, disintegration time, in vitro dissolution studies, kinetics of drug release and stability studies for all the formulations were studied and were found within the acceptance limits. Formulation F7 (containing moringa gum 1%) showed the best cumulative drug release and disintegration time of 56 secs

Modeling for the Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Sapota Fruit

Modified atmospheric packaging utilizes polymeric films with selective permeability for O2 & CO2 and modifies the storage environment by lowering O2 concentration and increasing CO2 concentration. Modeling and design of the Sapota fruit for modified atmosphere storage was done with different packaging materials for the higher shelf life. Based on the respiration rate and permeability of the packaging material the suitable packaging films obtained for the modified atmospheric packaging of Sapota fruit were low density Polyethylene, Polyvinyl chloride, Polypropylene and Polystyrene film. Saran and Polyester films were found to be unsuitable for MAP storage of the Sapota fruit. The developed model provides an effective way for selection of the proper packaging material for Sapota fruit and this model can also be employed for designing packaging films for other fruits and vegetables