Wire tomography in the H-1NF heliac for investigation of fine structure of magnetic islands

Electron beam wire tomography in the H-1NF heliac enables high resolution mapping of vacuum flux surfaces with minimal disruption of the plasma operations schedule. Recent experimental results have proven this technique to be a highly accurate and high resolution method for mapping vacuum magnetic islands. Islands of width as small as delta approximately 8 mm have been measured, providing estimates of the internal rotational transform of the island. Point-to-point comparison of the mapping results with computer tracing, in conjunction with an image warping technique, enables systematic exploration of magnetic islands and surfaces of interest. Recent development of a fast mapping technique significantly reduced the mapping time and made this technique suitable for mapping at higher magnetic fields. This article presents recent experimental results and associated techniques.with support from the Australian Research Council Grant No. DP0344361

Rights And Interest of Indigenous People: In Post Independent India From The Perspective Of Human Rights

People who inhabited a land before it was conquered by colonial societies and who consider themselves distinct from the societies currently governing those territories are called Indigenous peoples. Large areas of the earth’s surface are inhabited by substantial number of Indigenous Peoples. According to rough estimates, globally they account for about one sixth of the population; there are some 370 million indigenous people around the world, the rights of who are often ignored, yet, due to their geographical spread across continents and countries, Indigenous Peoples. They live in nearly all the countries on all the continents of the world and form a spectrum of humanity, ranging from traditional hunter gatherers and subsistence farmers to legal scholars. Despite the extensive diversity in indigenous communities throughout the world, all indigenous peoples have one thing in common- they all share a history of injustice. The nations of the world refuse to recognize that indigenous peoples have human rights. They have been denied the right to participate in governing process of the current state systems. Conquest and Colonization have attempted to steal their dignity and identity as indigenous peoples, as well as the fundamental right of selfdetermination

The red rain phenomenon of Kerala and its possible extraterrestrial origin

A red rain phenomenon occurred in Kerala, India starting from 25th July 2001, in which the rainwater appeared coloured in various localized places that are spread over a few hundred kilometers in Kerala. Maximum cases were reported during the first 10 days and isolated cases were found to occur for about 2 months. The striking red colouration of the rainwater was found to be due to the suspension of microscopic red particles having the appearance of biological cells. These particles have no similarity with usual desert dust. An estimated minimum quantity of 50,000 kg of red particles has fallen from the sky through red rain. An analysis of this strange phenomenon further shows that the conventional atmospheric transport processes like dust storms etc. cannot explain this phenomenon. The electron microscopic study of the red particles shows fine cell structure indicating their biological cell like nature. EDAX analysis shows that the major elements present in these cell like particles are carbon and oxygen. Strangely, a test for DNA using Ethidium Bromide dye fluorescence technique indicates absence of DNA in these cells. In the context of a suspected link between a meteor airburst event and the red rain, the possibility for the extraterrestrial origin of these particles from cometary fragments is discussed.Comment: 18 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

DEVELOPMENT OF ROPINIROLE (FREE BASE) TRANSDERMAL PATCH US ING BLENDS OF HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE/EUDRAGITS AND IT’ S IN VITRO/ IN VIVO CHARACTERIZATION

The objective of this study was toprepare and evaluate a matrix type transdermal patch ofropinirole using blends ofhydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and EudragitRL 100 and HPMC and Eudragit ERS100. Materialsand Methods: Ropinirole free based used as the drugentity was prepared from its hydrochloride salt.Suitability of the polymers in the form of drug-excipientcompatability was determined prior to formulationdevelopment using FTIR. Patches were developed usingsolvent evaporation technique. Limonene was used asa penetration enhancer. Moisture absorption,moisture content and mechanical properties, drugcontent, in vitro drug release, drug-excipient compatibility,in vitro skin permeation were the in vitro parametersmeasured. Short-term stability, skin irritation andin vivo drug release were measured with oneoptimized formulation. Results and discussion:Ropinirole free base was used successfully in thepreparation of the patches. FTIR studies indicated nointeraction between the drug and the polymers of thisstudy. Formulations developed were strong and notbrittle with uniform drug release. Patches containinghigher HPMC generally showed higher drug releaseand permeation. Drug release and permeation decreasedwith increase in the concentrations of Eudragits. Drugrelease studies indicated Higuchi model for all thepatches with a diffusion mechanism of non-fickian type.Short-term stability studies indicated that ropinirolewas stable in the patches. Patches did not cause any skinirritation. In vivo the optimized patch sustained drugrelease for 24 hours upon one time administration.Conclusion: Clinically viable ropinirole transdermalpatch can be successfully prepared from its base formusing HPMC/Eudragits

Trace elements analysis of Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. by EDXRF spectroscopy and its therapeutic role to diabetes mellitus

Minerals and trace elements have very important functions as they serve as structural components of tissues and also functions in cellular and basal metabolism. An important Ayurvedic medicinal plant, Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. was subjected to the analysis of its elemental contents in leaf and root through the EDXRF facility of UGC-DAE CSR, Kolkata centre, India, to develop a stronger basis for appreciating its nutritional and curative effects. The study is a new contribution. Various elements of biological importance for human metabolism were found to be present in different concentrations. The elements Ca, K, Si, Cl, P, and S were found in the highest concentration in leaf, in the descending order, but in the root, K took the leading position. The results have been discussed with reference to the established role of elements in physiology and pathology of human life. Special attention was given in revealing its role in bone building, controlling the sugar level and good wound healing capacity of the patients with diabetes mellitus

Total edge irregularity strength of join of path and complement of a complete graph

An edge irregular total k-labeling of a graph G is a labeling of the vertices and edges of G with labels from the set {1, 2, ..., k} in such a way that any two different edges have distinct weights. The weight of an edge uv is the sum of the label of uv and the labels of vertices u and v. The minimum k for which the graph G has an edge irregular total k-labeling is called the total edge irregularity strength of G. In this paper, we determine the exact value of the total edge irregularity strength of Pn + Km.Publisher's Versio