Local variance asymmetries in Planck temperature anisotropy maps

Recently, it was shown that local variance maps of temperature anisotropy are simple and useful tools for the study of large scale hemispherical power asymmetry. This was done by studying the distribution of dipoles of the local variance maps. In this work, we extend the study of the dipolar asymmetry in local variance maps using foreground cleaned Planck 143 GHz and 217 GHz data to smaller scales. In doing so, we include the effect of the CMB Doppler dipole. Further, we show that it is possible to use local variance maps to measure the Doppler dipole in these Planck channel maps, after removing large scale features (up to $l=600$), at a significance of about $3 \sigma$. At these small scales, we do not find any power asymmetry in the direction of the anomalous large scale power asymmetry beyond that expected from cosmic variance. At large scales, we verify previous results i.e. the presence of hemispherical power asymmetry at a significance of at least $3.3 \sigma$.Comment: 7 pages and 7 figures; various typos fixed and discussions clarified in v2 to match the MNRAS accepted versio

Large-scale anomalies in the cosmic microwave background as signatures of non-Gaussianity

We derive a general expression for the probability of observing deviations from statistical isotropy in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) if the primordial fluctuations are non-Gaussian and extend to superhorizon scales. The primary motivation is to properly characterize the monopole and dipole modulations of the primordial power spectrum that are generated by the coupling between superhorizon and subhorizon perturbations. Unlike previous proposals for generating the hemispherical power asymmetry, we do not assume that the power asymmetry results from a single large superhorizon mode. Instead, we extrapolate the observed power spectrum to superhorizon scales and compute the power asymmetry that would result from a specific realization of non-Gaussian perturbations on scales larger than the observable universe. Our study encompasses many of the scenarios that have been put forward as possible explanations for the CMB hemispherical power asymmetry. We confirm our analytic predictions for the probability of a given power asymmetry by comparing them to numerical realizations of CMB maps. We find that non-local models of non-Gaussianity and scale-dependent local non-Gaussianity produce scale-dependent modulations of the power spectrum, thereby potentially producing both a monopolar and a dipolar power modulation on large scales. We then provide simple examples of finding the posterior distributions for the parameters of the bispectrum from the observed monopole and dipole modulations.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures; v2: minor changes to match the PRD accepted versio

The Maoist movement and its impact on the democratic transition of Nepal

Nepal’s age-old ethnic grievances created a platform for the Maoists to launch their political strategy into broad sections of Nepalese society. The explicit politicization of ethnic grievances helped propel the party to victory in Nepal’s first constitutional election in 2008. Soon thereafter, however, the Maoists lost the lead role in Nepalese politics, in no small part because they failed to deliver on their ethnic promises. This thesis examines the rise and fall of the Maoists in Nepal, as well as the sources and context of the ethnic grievances that have simmered in the country throughout its modern political history. It finds that genuine reform has collided with (and frequently lost out to) the short-term agitations of power politics across the partisan spectrum. In this context, the present thesis establishes a framework to understand the role of ideas in democratizing states. The clash between ideas and ideology on the matter of ethnic grievances sheds light on how the Maoists failed to convert the claims of their movement into the actions of their party in government. The lesson for the remaining parties is clear: resolving Nepal’s ethnic tensions is a matter of ongoing urgency in the country’s democratization.http://archive.org/details/themaoistmovemen1094545154Lieutenant Colonel, Nepalese ArmyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Different glassy characteristics are related to either caging or dynamical heterogeneity

Despite the enormous theoretical and application interests, a fundamental understanding of the glassy dynamics remains elusive. The static properties of glassy and ordinary liquids are similar, but their dynamics are dramatically different. What leads to this difference is the central puzzle of the field. Even the primary defining glassy characteristics, their implications, and if they are related to a single mechanism remain unclear. This lack of clarity is a severe hindrance to theoretical progress. Here, we combine analytical arguments and simulations of various systems in different dimensions and address these questions. Our results suggest that the myriad of glassy features are manifestations of two distinct mechanisms. Particle caging controls the mean, and coexisting slow- and fast-moving regions govern the distribution of particle displacements. All the other glassy characteristics are manifestations of these two mechanisms; thus, the Fickian yet non-Gaussian nature of glassy liquids is not surprising. Our results have crucial implications on how the glassy dynamics data are analyzed, challenge some recent suggestions on the mechanisms governing gassy dynamics, and impose strict constraints that a correct theory of glasses must have

Response of potato clones to planting dates in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal

A field trial was conducted to optimize the planting date and appropriate clone for ware potato production at Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Pokhara from October 2015 to March 2016. The trial was laid out in two factors Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design. There were nine treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised of three dates of planting (30th October, 14th and 29th November) and three potato clones (Janakdev, Lbr 40 and PRP 266264.1). The results showed that the main effects of planting dates and potato clones significantly (P<0.05) affected most growth, yield and yield attributing parameters of the crop. Interaction effect of planting dates and potato clones also significantly influenced the number of above-ground stems per plant, ground cover percentage, number of tubers per plant, number and weight of small size tuber (<25 g), weight of medium or seed size (25-50 g) tuber and large size (>50 g) tuber, number and yield of tubers per plot, and yield t/ha. The highest yield (37.05 t/ha) was obtained from 14th November planting. The clone Lbr 40 produced a higher yield (36.05t/ha). The clone PRP 266264.1 planting on 30th October planting produced significantly a higher yield (41.34t/ha). The clone Lbr 40 produced significantly highest number and weight of large size (>50 g) tuber. Number of small size (<25 g) tuber per plot or unmarketable tuber significantly increased on delayed planting

Efficacy of different doses of NPK on growth and yield of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) in Khadbari, Sankhuwasabha, Nepal

An essential cultural technique for ensuring correct development and maximizing output is administering fertilizer sources for the crops. The experiment was carried out from February 2022 to May 2022 at Khadbari-3, Maruwa, Sankhuwasabha, to determine the efficacy of various dosages of NPK on the growth performance of the rice bean variety (Sunehri). The trial used a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments replicated three times. The treatments were listed and named as T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha); T2 (20:30:10 kg NPK/ha) (Recommended dose); T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha); T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha); T5 (20:20:20 kg NPK/ha); T6 (80:100:60 kg NPK/ha); and T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), respectively. The experimental results revealed that the highest yield/plant (39g) was obtained from the plot treated with T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha), followed by 24.93 g and 24.13 g from the plot receiving T2 (20:30:10 kg NPK/ha) and T6 (80:100:60 kg NPK/ha), respectively. The lowest yield of 14.07 g was obtained from the control plot, followed by 15.27 g and 21.20 g from the plot receiving T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha) and T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha), respectively. Vegetative parameters such as plant height, branch numbers, and leaves numbers were recorded as a maximum of 19.72 cm, 6.88, and 18.97 in plots treated with T5 (20:20:20 kg NPK/ha), T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), and T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha), consecutively, and corresponding minimum values were found 18.12 cm, 5.36 and 15.63 in T3 (10:20:15 kg NPK/ha), T1 (0:0:0 kg NPK/ha), and T7 (20:0:30 kg NPK/ha), respectively. Conclusively, the study's findings suggest that the rice bean crop responds to fertilizers and applying T4 (40:80:40 kg NPK/ha) enhances crop production considerably