Ultrafast photoinduced enhancement of nonlinear optical response in 15-atom gold clusters on indium tin oxide conducting film

We show that the third order optical nonlinearity of 15-atom gold clusters is significantly enhanced when in contact with indium tin oxide (ITO) conducting film. Open and close aperture z-scan experiments together with non-degenerate pump-probe differential transmission experiments were done using 80 fs laser pulses centered at 395 nm and 790 nm on gold clusters encased inside cyclodextrin cavities. We show that two photon absorption coefficient is enhanced by an order of magnitude as compared to that when the clusters are on pristine glass plate. The enhancement for the nonlinear optical refraction coefficient is ~3 times. The photo-induced excited state absorption using pump-probe experiments at pump wavelength of 395 nm and probe at 790 nm also show an enhancement by an order of magnitude. These results attributed to the excited state energy transfer in the coupled gold cluster-ITO system are different from the enhancement seen so far in charge donor-acceptor complexes and nanoparticle-conjugate polymer composites.Comment: To appear in Optics Express (2013); http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.21.00848

Genetic analysis for various yield components and gluten content in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genetic analysis was carried out in 55 genotypes (10 parents and 45 F1s) through diallel mating design excluding reciprocals in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Analysis of variance showed wide range of variability among the breeding material for all the traits under study. The highest value of phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded for grain yield (PCV= 9.07 and GCV= 8.08). Highest heritability with genetic advance was recorded for grain yield (h2=10.60 and GA=14.84), therefore selection will be effective based on grain yield for further study. Grains per spike (gr = 0.77 and pr = 0.67) and spikelets per spike (gr= 0.63 and pr = 0.52) were found significantly correlated (at <1 % level of significance) with grain yield whereas gluten content showed nonsignificant but positive correlation with grain yield at both genotypic as well as phenotypic level. Similarly, path coefficient analysis estimates for gluten content (g= 0.08 and p= 0.03) and grains per spike (g=0.36 and p=0.23) showed high positive direct effects on grain yield therefore these traits may be used as an index for selection to high yield in bread wheat genotypes

Studies on changes in quality characteristics of Indian horse chestnut (Aesculus indica Colebr.) flour during storage

Indian horse chestnut (Aesculus indica Colebr.) is a rich source of starch but contains toxic compound known as saponins which makes it bitter and unsuitable for edible purposes. To exploit the starch source for edible purpose first of all the saponins were removed to a acceptable limit by pretreating the crushed mass of Indian horse chestnut as suggested earlier. Edible mass of Indian horse chestnut was dried and milled into flour and packed in different packaging materials and further stored under refrigerated (4-7°C) and ambient (18-25°C) storage conditions for 6 months. The flour packed in aluminium laminated pouches and stored under refrigerated condition showed minimum increase in physico-chemical and rheological characteristics like moisture content (6.49%), water activity (0.155), reducing sugars (1.72%) and retained highest amounts of total solids (93.50%), total sugars (3.75%), starch (63.89%), ash (2.36%), proteins (102.23 mg/100g) along with oil absorption capacity (1.54 ml/g), water absorption capacity (4.44 ml/g) and bulk density (0.635 g/ml). The sensory characteristics scores like colour (7.60), taste (7.25), aroma (6.88), texture (6.87) and overall acceptability (7.08) were retained highest in this packaging material as compared to others

Experimental Study on Surface Roughness in MS Bar by using Double Point Cutting Tool in Turning

A special type of a tool is designed and made to have two cutting points for turning long workpieces and it may be termed as the double point cutting tool. The double point cutting tool has two cutting points which has the height difference of 0.5 mm and the distance between them is 6 mm . So that when the first cutting point takes 0.5 mm depth of cut and next to that the second cutting point also takes 0.5 mm depth of cut as the tool proceeds for turning. Hence the total machining time is reduced considerably. Surface finish depends on work material, tool material, type of tool, cutting speed, feed and so on. Investigation on Surface Roughness in Mild Steel bar after turning by using HSS Double Point Cutting Tool for different cutting conditions is presented in this Research article

Estimates of genetic components and regression analysis for grain yield and various morphological traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The present study was conducted to estimate the gentic components and regression analysis for grain yield and various morphological traits in bread wheat involving 10 parents and their 45 F1s (half diallel) during 2012- 13 and 2013-14. Significant additive (D) and dominance (H1) variance for the traits indicated that expression of these traits is control by both additive and dominance gene action. Average degree of dominance (H1/D)1/2 were more than unity for the traits (peduncle length, flag leaf area, productive tillers, biological yield, grain yield, harvest index) indicating the preponderance of over dominance gene action. The estimates of h2 were positive and significant for days to ear emergence, peduncle length, productive tillers, biological yield and grain yield indicated dominance of genetic components in F1s. Positive and significant values of F were estimated for days to ear emergence, days to 50% flowering, spike length, flag leaf area and grain yield in F1s indicating the preponderance of dominance and positive genes in the parents involved. The theoretical value (0.25) of (H2/4H1) for all the traits indicated asymmetrical distribution of positive and negative genes. The proportion of dominant and recessive alleles indicated presence of dominant alleles in the parents. The traits showing more than 30% narrow sanse heritability could be rewarding for further improvement in grain yield in bread wheat. Regression analysis indicated that the traits (days to ear emergence, days to 50% flowering, peduncle length, flag leaf area, productive tillers, harvest index, biological yield and grain yield) control by over dominance type of gene action. The parent RAJ 4246 contained maximum dominant genes for days to ear emergence and days to 50% flowering; HD 2733 for spike length and flag leaf area and HD 2824 for productive tillers, biological yield and grain yield used as donors in multiple traits breeding programme to develop high yielding wheat genotypes

Phonon Anomalies, Orbital-Ordering and Electronic Raman Scattering in iron-pnictide Ca(Fe0.97Co0.03)2As2: Temperature-dependent Raman Study

We report inelastic light scattering studies on Ca(Fe0.97Co0.03)2As2 in a wide spectral range of 120-5200 cm-1 from 5K to 300K, covering the tetragonal to orthorhombic structural transition as well as magnetic transition at Tsm ~ 160K. The mode frequencies of two first-order Raman modes B1g and Eg, both involving displacement of Fe atoms, show sharp increase below Tsm. Concomitantly, the linewidths of all the first-order Raman modes show anomalous broadening below Tsm, attributed to strong spin-phonon coupling. The high frequency modes observed between 400-1200 cm-1 are attributed to the electronic Raman scattering involving the crystal field levels of d-orbitals of Fe2+. The splitting between xz and yz d-orbital levels is shown to be ~ 25 meV which increases as temperature decreases below Tsm. A broad Raman band observed at ~ 3200 cm-1 is assigned to two-magnon excitation of the itinerant Fe 3d antiferromagnet.Comment: Accepted for Publication in JPC

Intra annual Variability of the Arabian Sea high salinity water mass in the South Eastern Arabian Sea during 2016 17

Intra-annual variability of the Arabian Sea high salinity water mass (ASHSW) in the South Eastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) and Gulf of Mannar (GoM) are addressed in this paper by utilisng the monthly missions carried out onboard INS Sagardhwani during 2016-17. Our observations revealed that the ASHSW was evident along the SEAS irrespective of seasons, whereas in the GoM the presence of ASHSW was observed during winter. The processes such as downwelling/up-welling, coastal currents, intrusion of low saline waters, stratification are clearly affects the spreading of the ASHSW. The characteristics such as core salinity value, depth and thickness of ASHSW exhibited remarkable spatio-temporal variability. Lateral mixing with the low saline waters in the region during winter reduces its core salinity. The intrusion of low saline waters was clearly seen upto 15 ON but the intrusion of low saline waters is not flowing through the GoM. The interface between the ASHSW and the prevailing low saline waters showed strong horizontal gradients of salinity. The presence of the ASHSW makes difference in the SLD and the below layer gradient which is sufficient to complicate or influence sound transmission. The spatio temporal variability of the ASHSW and its acoustic relevance are documented in this paper

Preparation of Myrica nagi (Box myrtle) drink and effect of storage temperature on its quality

Box myrtle (Myrica nagi) belongs to family Myricaceae is a sub-temperate tree found throughout the mid-Himalayas at an elevation of 1300 to 2100 meters above mean sea level. Its fruits are known for their ravishing taste and have been reported as rich source of anti-oxidants like phenols and anthocyanins. In the present study drink was prepared from box myrtle juice and quality evaluation was carried out during six months of storage of fruit drink. Different combinations of juice (8%, 10%, 12%, 14% and 16 %) and sugar syrup/TSS (Total soluble solids) (12 oB and 15 oB) were tried to standardize proper combination for drink. The drink prepared by following the best selected recipe (14 % juice and 12 oB TSS) was packed in glass and PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles and stored for six months under ambient and refrigerated temperature conditions. Drink could be safely stored for a period of six months under both the storage conditions without much change in various quality characteristics. Various physico-chemical characteristics increased/decreased like TSS (12.05 to 12.48 oB), reducing sugars (7.80 to 8.69 %), titratable acidity (0.30 to 0.27 %), ascorbic acid (1.09 to 0.47 mg/100 g), total phenols (27.35 to 19.11 mg/100 g) and anthocyanins (6.14 to 3.69 mg/100 g). However, the changes in the quality characteristics of the drink were slower in refrigerated storage conditions as compared to ambient conditions. Both the packaging materials viz. PET and glass bottles were found suitable, with comparatively less changes occurring in glass bottles stored under refrigerated conditions

Computing Symmetric Block Cipher Using Linear Algebraic Equation.

In this paper, a pair of symmetric block ciphers has been developed for encryption and decryption of text file. The characters in the file are represented by the ASCII codes. A substitution table and a reverse substitution table are formed by using a key. The process of encryption and decryption is carried by using linear algebraic equations. However, the cryptanalysis has been discussed for establishing the strength of the algorithm. Result and analysis exhibits that the current algorithm works well and more secured to break the cipher