Mesoscopic interplay of superconductivity and ferromagnetism in ultra-small metallic grains

We review the effects of electron-electron interactions on the ground-state spin and the transport properties of ultra-small chaotic metallic grains. Our studies are based on an effective Hamiltonian that combines a superconducting BCS-like term and a ferromagnetic Stoner-like term. Such terms originate in pairing and spin exchange correlations, respectively. This description is valid in the limit of a large dimensionless Thouless conductance. We present the ground-state phase diagram in the fluctuation-dominated regime where the single-particle mean level spacing is comparable to the bulk BCS pairing gap. This phase diagram contains a regime in which pairing and spin exchange correlations coexist in the ground-state wave function. We discuss the calculation of the tunneling conductance for an almost-isolated grain in the Coulomb-blockade regime, and present measurable signatures of the competition between superconductivity and ferromagnetism in the mesoscopic fluctuations of the conductance.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, To be published in the proceedings of the NATO Advance Research Workshop "Recent Advances in Nonlinear Dynamics and Complex System Physics.

Outcome of the First wwPDB Hybrid / Integrative Methods Task Force Workshop

Structures of biomolecular systems are increasingly computed by integrative modeling that relies on varied types of experimental data and theoretical information. We describe here the proceedings and conclusions from the first wwPDB Hybrid/Integrative Methods Task Force Workshop held at the European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, UK, on October 6 and 7, 2014. At the workshop, experts in various experimental fields of structural biology, experts in integrative modeling and visualization, and experts in data archiving addressed a series of questions central to the future of structural biology. How should integrative models be represented? How should the data and integrative models be validated? What data should be archived? How should the data and models be archived? What information should accompany the publication of integrative models

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Not AvailableCarbon content in soils changes depending on the land use system, type of management practice and time. There is an increasing concern about the soil quality vis-à-vis organic carbon content in soils due to global warming and enhancedCO2 concentration in the atmosphere. This has led to estimate carbon stock in soils at global and regional levels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate RothC model to estimate total organic carbon (TOC) changes under four long term fertilizer experimental sites representing subhumid moist (Sarol and Nabibagh), sub-humid dry (Panjri) and semi-arid (Teligi) climate in India. The plant carbon input rate was calibrated using organic carbon and other soil parameters using RothC. The results showed that RothC could simulate changes in TOC in two contrasting eco-sites for surface soil layers. The root mean square error (RMSE) considered as modelling error ranged from 11.50 to 15.01, 4.70 to 11.60, 2.14 to 6.52 and 1.45 to 13.74 in the surface layers of Sarol, Nabibagh, Panjri, and Teligi sites, respectively. The simulation biases expressed by M (relative error) by Student‘t’ value for all the treatments at these sites were non-significant with two exceptions. Observed trends in TOC consist of an increase for all the four treatments in the sub-humid site of Sarol and Nabibagh; while manures alone or in combination increase TOC appreciably in Teligi and Panjri. TOC remained, however, almost similar over years for the control (no fertilizer or manure) and NPK treatments in all the four sites. Analysis of RothC output data showed that this model could be used as a tool to arrive at different threshold values of rainfall to influence decomposition rate modifier and thus to find out rate of organic carbon sequestration in various bioclimatic systems.Not Availabl

Use of large pieces of printed circuit boards for bioleaching to avoid ‘precipitate contamination problem’ and to simplify overall metal recovery

Very recently bioleaching has been used for removing metals from electronic waste. Most of the research has been targeted to using pulverized PCBs for bioleaching where precipitate formed during bioleaching contaminates the pulverized PCB sample and making the overall metal recovery process more complicated. In addition to that, such mixing of pulverized sample with precipitate also creates problems for the final separation of non metallic fraction of PCB sample. In the present investigation we attempted the use of large pieces of printed circuit boards instead of pulverized sample for removal of metals. Use of large pieces of PCBs for bioleaching was restricted due to the chemical coating present on PCBs, the problem has been solved by chemical treatment of PCBs prior to bioleaching. In short, • Large pieces of PCB can be used for bioleaching instead of pulverized PCB sample. • Metallic portion on PCBs can be made accessible to bacteria with prior chemical treatment of PCBs. • Complete metal removal obtained on PCB pieces of size 4 cm × 2.5 cm with the exception of solder traces. The final metal free PCBs (non metallic) can be easily recycled and in this way the overall recycling process (metallic and non metallic part) of PCBs becomes simple

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Not AvailableSeed germination and seedling vigour in aging seeds of 32 groundnut genotypes was studied under ambient storage conditions to assess the extent of variability for these traits under storage. The association, if any of these traits with seed soil content and seed mass was also examined. Both,seed germination and seedling vigour declined with aging of the groundnut seeds in all test genotypes. However, the rate of decrease varied among the genotypes suggesting significant genotypic difference and possibility of their improvement through breeding. Aging also has strong negative effect on both, root and shoot growth of the seedlings, but profound effect was observed on root growth. Seed germination and seedling vigour are not associated with seed oil content, but seedling vigour is positively correlated with seed mass. The results indicate the possibility of developing new groundnut genotypes that retained good levels of seed germination and seedling vigour even in storage for 12 months under ambient conditions. Further, it is also possible to combine enhanced high seed oil content with high seed germination and seedling vigour. As seed germination and seedling vigour are associated with pod yield, it may be desirable to evaluate the advanced breeding lines for these traits besides other yield and yield parameters.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableTo assessthe determinants oftechnology adoption by sunflower farmers towards improved sunflower production technologies, a study was conducted in Akola district of Maharashtra. The assessment was done on a comparative basis between 60 each of farmers who participated in the frontline demonstrations (FLDs) organized by Crop Research Unit, Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), Akola, Maharashtra (FLD farmers) and farmers who did not participate in the FLD programme but belong to the same villages wherein FLDs were organized (non-FLD farmers). The respondents were selected through multi-stage random sampling procedure. There was highly significant difference between FLD and non-FLD respondents with respect to their adoption behaviour and sunflower productivity. There was significant difference among non-FLD farmers with small, medium and large size of land holdings with respect to their adoption behaviour and sunflower productivity, while there was no such difference was observed among the FLD farmers. Most of the non-FLD farmers had low to medium level of sunflower productivity, while most of the FLD farmers had medium to high level of sunflower productivity. Overall, there was 11% mean seed yield increase obtained by the FLD farmers over that of non-FLD farmers with ` 2254/ha additional net returns. The personal, socio-economical, biotic and abiotic determinants of sunflower production and perceived information needs were assessed and the strategies for improving the sunflower production scenario in the study area were suggested.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableCarbon content in soils changes depending on the land use system, type of management practice and time. There is an increasing concern about the soil quality vis-à-vis organic carbon content in soils due to global warming and enhanced CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. This has led to estimate carbon stock in soils at global and regional levels. The objective of the present study was to evaluate RothC model to estimate total organic carbon (TOC) changes under four long term fertilizer experimental sites representing subhumid moist (Sarol and Nabibagh), sub-humid dry (Panjri) and semi-arid (Teligi) climate in India. The plant carbon input rate was calibrated using organic carbon and other soil parameters using RothC. The results showed that RothC could simulate changes in TOC in two contrasting eco-sites for surface soil layers. The root mean square error (RMSE) considered as modelling error ranged from 11.50 to 15.01, 4.70 to 11.60, 2.14 to 6.52 and 1.45 to 13.74 in the surface layers of Sarol, Nabibagh, Panjri, and Teligi sites, respectively. The simulation biases expressed by M (relative error) by Student‘t’ value for all the treatments at these sites were non-significant with two exceptions. Observed trends in TOC consist of an increase for all the four treatments in the sub-humid site of Sarol and Nabibagh; while manures alone or in combination increase TOC appreciably in Teligi and Panjri. TOC remained, however, almost similar over years for the control (no fertilizer or manure) and NPK treatments in all the four sites. Analysis of RothC output data showed that this model could be used as a tool to arrive at different threshold values of rainfall to influence decomposition rate modifier and thus to find out rate of organic carbon sequestration in various bioclimatic systems.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSoil carbon has a global importance since it plays an important role in global carbon cycle and thus influencing the mitigation of atmospheric levels of green house gases with reference to CO2. There is an increasing concern about the soil quality vis-à-vis organic carbon content in soils due to global warming and enhanced CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. This has led to estimate carbon stock in soils at global and regional levels. A number of methods has been used to estimate changes in soil organic carbon stocks at the regional level. The present study was undertaken to evaluate RothC model for estimating total organic carbon (TOC) changes under three long term fertilizer experimental (LTFE) sites representing humid (Mohanpur, West Bengal), sub-humid (Kheri, Madhya Pradesh) and semi-arid (Akola, Maharashtra) climate. Mohanpur site was modelled for 3 layers (0-13, 13-23, and 23-39 cm), Kheri for 5 layers (0-20, 20-40, 40-60, 60-80 and 80-100) and Akola for only the surface layer (0-15 cm). Quantitative analysis was carried out to evaluate and validate the model, following standard statistical methods. The results showed that RothC could simulate changes in TOC in three contrasting eco-sites. Trends in TOC showed an increase in all the treatments in humid site of Mohanpur; whereas manures alone or in combination with fertilizers increased TOC in Kheri. In Akola, however, TOC remained almost similar over years for the control (no fertilizer, no manure) and 50% NPK treatments. RothC therefore followed the trends of experimental set up in terms of different management interventions in these sites. Relations were worked out between global warming and modelled TOC stocks. Generally to estimate such warming effect on TOC held in terrestrial soil, RothC considers top soil with varying depth as a single homogeneous layer. We used three layers of soil for Mohanpur and five layers for Kheri instead and generated datasets for modelled TOC stocks for these two sites. This was compared with the same site TOC stock considering 0-39 for Mohanpur and 0-100 cm for Kheri. The modelled TOC stocks, considering soil as a multilayer component, captures the real scenario of global warming and its related consequences on accelerated organic carbon decomposition and release of CO2 from soil to atmosphere. It seems the application of inorganic fertilizers in combination with organic amendments will arrest the accelerated SOC decomposition better than putting only inorganic fertilizers.Not Availabl