Role of Bulk flow in Turbulent Convection

In this paper we present scaling of large-scale quantities like Pecl\'{e}t and Nusselt numbers, and the dissipation rates of kinetic energy and entropy. Our arguments are based on the scaling of bulk quantities and earlier experimental and simulation results. We also present the inertial-range properties of spectra and fluxes of kinetic energy and entropy.Comment: 15 pages, to Appear in the proceedings of "Senfest, International Conference on Complex Processes in Plasmas and Nonlinear Dynamical Systems

Ambient Temperature Growth and Superconducting Properties of Ti-V Alloy Thin Films

A study on the optimization of ambient temperature growth and superconducting properties of Ti-V alloy thin films grown on SiO2-coated Si substrate is reported here. These films have been synthesized by co-sputtering of Ti and V targets, and films having different Ti concentrations were deposited to get the optimized critical temperature (TC) of thin films close to the bulk value. The maximum TC of 5.2 K has been obtained in the Ti40V60 composition, which is further increased to 6.2 K when a 10 nm thick Ti underlayer is added below the Ti-V film. GIXRD measurements confirm the formation of Ti-V alloys in the desired crystal structure. The upper critical field (HC2) of the thin films has been estimated with the help of magnetotransport measurements. The utility of Ti-V alloy thin films in superconducting radiation detection applications is ascertained.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure

Land Surface Characterization for Identification and Assessment of Potential Grazing Lands in Arid Western Rajasthan, India

Grazing lands (non-arable terrestrial ecosystems) play a vital role in the rural economy and environmental conservation. Modern tools in which, GIS, GPS and satellite remote sensing play vital role in the assessment, characterization and management of grazinglands (Paul et al., 2010). The present study aims to assess the physical conditions and distribution pattern of permanent pastures and other grazing lands in arid Rajasthan using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Though grazing lands do occur in a number of habitats, the study has focused on those sites which have water resources for its rational utilization for pasture/grassland development. Rapid advances in the areas of Remote Sensing, Earth Observations systems, data processing techniques and applications have facilitated users for a better understanding of terrain. One of the recent trends in remote sensing is its application in the extraction of terrain related parameters using large scale mapping and DEM generation. GIS and IRS data are used in inventory, assessment, characterization and management of grazinglands and estimation of forage production & supply-demand balance sheets (Singh et al., 1997)

Butyl Rubber-Nylon Composites with Improved Flame Retardancy & Gas Impermeability

Butyl rubber, because of its high packing density and chemical structure is inherently impermeable to air and gases. However, the elastomer is highly flammable owing to its neat carbon-hydrogen backbone structure. The particular rubber is extensively being used as coating materials for nylon, cotton, polyester etc., for development of clothing outfits for service personnel working in hazardous chemical environments . It is, therefore , essential to evolve flame retardant butyl rubber compositions which could make such clothings impermeable to chemical agents having adequate flame retardancy.The present paper describes an attempt towards using various chemical additives viz. brominated phenyl ethers, chlorinated paraffin, various inorganic oxides and halogenated elastomer, either singly or in combinations as potential flame retardants in bromo-butyl rubber compositions. The cements were then prepared by adding toluene to these compositions (20 to 30% solid content). The homogenised cements were then applied on both sides of nylon fabric with varying add -on concentrations in a laboratory coating machine with doctors blade specially designed for this purpose. The coated fabrics were cured at different temperatures in step curing between 70-150°C, tested for impermeability against hazardous warfare agents and found to offer enhanced protection against these chemicals . Standard test methods e.g. (a) exposure of the fabric to direct flame as per BS method 3119 (b) limited oxygen index as per ASTM specification D-2663 were followed in the evaluation of flame retardancy. The fabrics showed no after glow- low after flame (2.5 sec. against 6 sec. specified)and 7.2 cm char length against 12 cm max. permissible value. The hysicomechanical' properties e.g., breaking and tensile strengths were determined . Morphology and rubber fabric adhesion were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Studies on artemisinin, morphotypic and genetic characteristics of seventeen species of Artemisia growing in Indian Himalayan Region

Seventeen species of Artemisia L. growing in the Indian Himalayan region were investigated for artemisinin content, morphological and genetic characters. During the investigation, artemisinin content was found to be in the range of trace to 0.12%. The highest was in A. dracunculus (0.12%) and A. roxburghiana (0.12%). The essential oil content was found in the range of 0.03-1.5%, A. dracunculus showed 1.5% oil (w/v) followed by A. nilagirica (0.6%) and A. maritima (0.6%). The AFLP analysis revealed 25.4% (Hind-ACC & Mse-CAC) to 67.38% (Hind-ACA & Mse-CAG) polymorphism while overall it was 51%. The dendrogram generated from AFLP data classified 8 species in one cluster (I) and 9 in another (II). The important pathway genes (HMGR, ADS and CYP71AV1) showed higher expression in A. dracunculus, A. roxburghiana and A. sieversiana. Based on the chemical analysis, the presence of a high amount of essential oil and artemisinin in A. dracunculus and A. roxburghiana suggested that these could be important medicinal plants for future research

Studies on artemisinin, morphotypic and genetic characteristics of seventeen species of Artemisia growing in Indian Himalayan Region

272-279Seventeen species of Artemisia L. growing in the Indian Himalayan region were investigated for artemisinin content, morphological and genetic characters. During the investigation, artemisinin content was found to be in the range of trace to 0.12%. The highest was in A. dracunculus (0.12%) and A. roxburghiana (0.12%). The essential oil content was found in the range of 0.03-1.5%, A. dracunculus showed 1.5% oil (w/v) followed by A. nilagirica (0.6%) and A. maritima (0.6%). The AFLP analysis revealed 25.4% (Hind-ACC & Mse-CAC) to 67.38% (Hind-ACA & Mse-CAG) polymorphism while overall it was 51%. The dendrogram generated from AFLP data classified 8 species in one cluster (I) and 9 in another (II). The important pathway genes (HMGR, ADS and CYP71AV1) showed higher expression in A. dracunculus, A. roxburghiana and A. sieversiana. Based on the chemical analysis, the presence of a high amount of essential oil and artemisinin in A. dracunculus and A. roxburghiana suggested that these could be important medicinal plants for future research

Mapping of Thar Desert Grasslands Using High Resolution Carto-Data (A Case Study of Jodhpur District)

The spatio-temporal condition and trend of grasslands in India at village-level is still not known completely. Historical and contemporary monitoring and assessment protocols are primarily based on the wisdom, knowledge and experience of village-level revenue officer (patwari) which is just significant from the statistical point of view. Contrastingly, such grassland areas are considered to be of high priority by government authorities for the long-term conservation of biodiversity. Protection, development and sustainable use of grasslands are very important for the rural economy and livestock. The major grasslands now survive west of isohyets 200 to 250 mm rainfall where livestock population is more than human beings. Animal husbandry plays such an important role in the lifestyle and economics of the inhabitants, scientific management of the grasslands, on which the animals depend for nourishment, is totally neglected. Pastoralism has coexisted within dry lands for decades. The constant pressure from an increasing human population and anthropogenic activities, particularly mining, has caused considerable damage to this unique desert grassland ecosystem. Several important grasslands have been converted to agricultural fields and the pressure to convert more grassland into such uses is mounting. Area under grasslands in the Jodhpur district has declined very sharply. It was 6.4% in 1976 (Sen, 1978) but has been reduced to \u3c 1.5% of the district area. Grasslands are one of the important classes of land use mapping exercise. The aim of the present project was to identify and map all grasslands and grazing areas in the Jodhpur district using spectral signatures of 2012-13 high resolution satellite data of Cartosat LISS-IV plus PAN merged and compare with 1976-77 and 2005-06 data. There is a need to sustain and conserve grasslands at grassroots level because these are the important life-supporting mechanism of the dry region. There is an immediate scope for the spatial and temporal scale dependence of assessment tools for grassland monitoring and undertaking research at village-to district-scales to incorporate geographic information systems and satellite remote sensing data, as well as new ecological concepts from landscape ecology and complex systems science