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

Dynamics of Hot QCD Matter -- Current Status and Developments

The discovery and characterization of hot and dense QCD matter, known as Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP), remains the most international collaborative effort and synergy between theorists and experimentalists in modern nuclear physics to date. The experimentalists around the world not only collect an unprecedented amount of data in heavy-ion collisions, at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York, USA, and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland but also analyze these data to unravel the mystery of this new phase of matter that filled a few microseconds old universe, just after the Big Bang. In the meantime, advancements in theoretical works and computing capability extend our wisdom about the hot-dense QCD matter and its dynamics through mathematical equations. The exchange of ideas between experimentalists and theoreticians is crucial for the progress of our knowledge. The motivation of this first conference named "HOT QCD Matter 2022" is to bring the community together to have a discourse on this topic. In this article, there are 36 sections discussing various topics in the field of relativistic heavy-ion collisions and related phenomena that cover a snapshot of the current experimental observations and theoretical progress. This article begins with the theoretical overview of relativistic spin-hydrodynamics in the presence of the external magnetic field, followed by the Lattice QCD results on heavy quarks in QGP, and finally, it ends with an overview of experiment results.Comment: Compilation of the contributions (148 pages) as presented in the `Hot QCD Matter 2022 conference', held from May 12 to 14, 2022, jointly organized by IIT Goa & Goa University, Goa, Indi

Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry:Workshop Summary

This document presents a summary of the 2023 Terrestrial Very-Long-Baseline Atom Interferometry Workshop hosted by CERN. The workshop brought together experts from around the world to discuss the exciting developments in large-scale atom interferometer (AI) prototypes and their potential for detecting ultralight dark matter and gravitational waves. The primary objective of the workshop was to lay the groundwork for an international TVLBAI proto-collaboration. This collaboration aims to unite researchers from different institutions to strategize and secure funding for terrestrial large-scale AI projects. The ultimate goal is to create a roadmap detailing the design and technology choices for one or more km-scale detectors, which will be operational in the mid-2030s. The key sections of this report present the physics case and technical challenges, together with a comprehensive overview of the discussions at the workshop together with the main conclusions

Global Research in Library Management from 2010 to 2020: A Bibliometric Investigation based on Scopus

The present study is an attempt to investigate the research publications on Library management using performance metrics at global, national, institutional and author levels. Library Management is a core function to be performed by Librarians as custodian of information sources and services for the smooth functioning of libraries. So, research in this area is of utmost importance. The study uses data from Scopus indexed in the period 2010 to 2020 and analyze using MS-Excel and maps using Biblioshiny web application. The findings discovered 769 publications at global levels in which the USA has the major contribution of 145 papers. Growth in the number of publications is exponential. Library Philosophy and Practice is the most productive journal publishing quality articles on Library Management. University of Malaya and University of Novi Sad are two most productive affiliations while DKW Chiu is the most productive author. Library Management is the most occurring keyword with 100 occurrences. Followed by Libraries (47), Digital Libraries (36), Information Management (25) and Management (19). The trending areas of research in Library Management are software engineering, artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, library systems, information use, human experiment indicating transformation in traditional library management research to ICT driven one

Inversion and Uncertainty Estimation of Self-Potential Anomalies over a Two-Dimensional Dipping Layer/Bed: Application to Mineral Exploration, and Archaeological Targets

Self-Potential data have been widely used in numerous applications. The interpretation of SP data from subsurface bodies is quite challenging. The advantages of geophysical inversion for interpreting non-linear geophysical problems have gained a great deal of attention over conventional interpretation. The efficiency of the present inversion approach in interpreting SP anomalies from a thin dipping layer/bed is presented in the study. The inversion approach was applied to interpret synthetic model parameters such as the self-potential of the layer (k), depth to the body top (h), location of the body (x0), dip angle (θ), and the upper and lower end of the sheet (δ1 and δ2). The interpretation of the results showed that the parameters Δh, δ1, and δ2 exhibited a wide range of results. The estimated parameter values lay within the limit of uncertainty. The inversion approach was also applied to two field datasets obtained from polymetallic deposits in Russia and Azerbaijan for mineral exploration purposes and one from a buried ancient Roman limestone construction in Halutza, Israel, for the purposes of archaeological study. The field investigation results demonstrate a good agreement with previous works of literature. The efficiency of the present approach for interpreting SP anomalies from thin layer/bed-like structures is shown in this study

Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy: Advantage over External Approach

Introduction Although external DCR was considered to be the Gold Standard treatment for NLD obstruction, endoscopic DCR appears to give comparable results,  with the advantage of the absence of external facial scar and no disruption of the medial palpebral ligament or the angular facial vessels. This study aims to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and compare with the outcome of external DCR, based on data available on literature search. Materials and Methods In this prospective, longitudinal, interventional study, 67 cases of chronic dacryocystitis were operated endoscopically from January 2017 to December 2018. All patients were documented about detailed medical and operative history, thorough medical check up including ocular and ENT examination. Level of obstruction of nasolacrimal duct (NLD) was diagnosed by lacrimal syringing and probing. Surgery was performed under local anaesthesia except in uncooperative patients where general anaesthesia was used. 0˚ & 30˚ endoscopes were used in surgery. The surgical outcomes and complications were recorded, analyzed and compared to those of external DCR from available literature.   Results The overall success rate of endoscopic DCR was 94.7%, which is closely comparable to external DCR. Conclusion Endoscopic DCR is an effective and safe alternative to external DCR, with comparable results and better patient satisfaction

Primary Laryngeal Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent Host

Introduction Aspergillosis of Larynx is very rare and may present with symptoms suspicious of malignancy. Prevention of dissemination warrants early diagnosis. It is found mainly in Immunocompromised patients and is usually necrotizing, invasive with disseminated systemic infection, associated with poor prognosis. In Immunocompetent patients it is extremely rare and may present as colonization associated with excellent prognosis. Case Report A 43 year old male patient presented with hoarseness of voice for about 3 months with whitish irregular lesion that involved the anterior 1/3 of both the vocal cords. A cheesy material was found covering indurated lesion of both the vocal cords, intraoperatively. Stripping of mucosa over vocal cords was done and cheesy material collected and sent for HPE which revealed Aspergillus hyphae overlying Mild dysplastic changes. Following diagnosis the patient was followed up with oral dosages of Itraconazole. Discussion The primary Aspergillosis of larynx is extremely rare. Involvement is always secondary to immunocompromised states like AIDS, malignancy, Diabetes, etc. This was a rare case in Immunocompetent patient. Management constitute removal of the vocal cord lesions during biopsy. Amphotericin B is first-line agent for this infection, however aerosolised and liposomal amphotericin B offer effective dosing with less toxicity. Newer antifungal Itraconazole may produce more reliable results

Role of CT Nose Paranasal Sinuses and Nasal Endoscopy for Decision Making in a Case of Deviated Nasal Septum

Introduction Deviated nasal septum (DNS) can be asymptomatic in an individual or may cause nasal obstruction. The condition is generally diagnosed clinically and based on clinical diagnosis it is managed Surgically by large without much heed to diagnostic procedure. Thus, often underlying other causes of Obstruction is missed. Thus, it becomes essential to evaluate every patient presenting with history of Nasal obstruction and clinically Deviated septum, with aid of Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) to rule out/diagnose other coexisting conditions. Methods and Methodology 100 patients who presented with nasal obstruction and clinically diagnosed to have Deviated Nasal Septum were then subjected to Nasal Endoscopy and CT scan Nose and PNS and findings were noted for analysis. Results and Analysis Of these 100 patients, 48 patients were found to have coexisting pathological conditions/anatomical variants. Various anatomical and pathological Conditions were found to coexist together. Inferior turbinate hypertrophy in 34% is the most common pathological condition found to be associated with DNS followed by of sinusitis in 25% patients apart from polyp, concha bullosa and paradoxical middle turbinate. Discussion Studies done so far shows there is a definite link of deviated nasal septum to various anatomical and pathological conditions of the nose.  CT Scan Nose PNS and Nasal Endoscopy plays a vital role in diagnosing such anomalies. Conclusion Most of the patients, presenting with nasal obstruction and having Deviated Nasal Septum, undergo management without proper analysis and returns with recurrence of symptoms which could be analyzed properly if Nasal endoscopy and CT scan is employed during diagnosis of the condition, reducing risk of treatment failure