SPA+RPA approach to canonical and grandcanonical treatments of nuclear level densities

Using an exactly solvable pairing model Hamiltonian in the static path approximation together with small-amplitude quantal fluctuation corrections in random phase approximation (SPA+RPA), we have analyzed the behaviour of canonical (number projected) and grandcanonical treatments of nuclear level densities as a function of temperature and number of particles. For small particle numbers at a low temperature, we find that though the grandcanonical partition function in SPA+RPA approach is quite close to its exact value, the small errors in its estimation causes significant suppression of level density obtained using number projected partition function. The results are also compared with the smoothed out exact values of level density. Within this model study, it appears that due to saddle point approximation to multiple Laplace-back transform, the grandcanonical treatment of level density at low temperature may be reliable only for relatively large number of particles.Comment: 11 pages(LaTex), figure available by the author, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

The Costs of Ecosystem Adaptation: Methodology and Estimates for Indian Forests

34 p.This paper presents a detailed methodology for estimating the cost of adaptation to climate change impacts on ecosystems. Up to date estimates are built-up following national investments in measures such as protected areas, with inaccurate estimates of the adaptation level needed. Here we propose a new methodology which identifies vulnerable areas due to climate impacts and the specific adaptation options feasible for these regions. An illustration of the methodology for shifts in forest ecosystems in India is presented. Advantages and future requirements for this methodology are finally discussed

Genetic analyses of kernel carotenoids in novel maize genotypes possessing rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase gene

Carotenoids are important micronutrients required by humans for growth and development. Yellow maize among cereals possesses sufficient carotenoids, and thus, it is important to genetically dissect such traits for proper utilization in breeding programme. Twenty-one maize hybrids generated using novel inbreds with rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) that enhances kernel β-carotene, were evaluated at two diverse maize growing locations. Lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were positively correlated, while β-carotene showed negative correlation with other carotenoids. Grain yield did not show association with carotenoids. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. Experimental hybrids were much superior for kernel β-carotene compared to commercial hybrids. Based on SCA effects, high yielding experimental hybrids were identified for provitamin A and non-provitamin A carotenoids. These novel hybrid combinations of maize possessing rare allele of crtRB1 hold promise in maize biofortification programme to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and degenerative diseases in humans

Bi-Objective Community Detection (BOCD) in Networks using Genetic Algorithm

A lot of research effort has been put into community detection from all corners of academic interest such as physics, mathematics and computer science. In this paper I have proposed a Bi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for community detection which maximizes modularity and community score. Then the results obtained for both benchmark and real life data sets are compared with other algorithms using the modularity and MNI performance metrics. The results show that the BOCD algorithm is capable of successfully detecting community structure in both real life and synthetic datasets, as well as improving upon the performance of previous techniques.Comment: 11 pages, 3 Figures, 3 Tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:0906.061

Modulation Instability of Ultrashort Pulses in Quadratic Nonlinear Media beyond the Slowly Varying Envelope Approximation

We report a modulational instability (MI) analysis of a mathematical model appropriate for ultrashort pulses in cascaded quadratic-cubic nonlinear media beyond the so-called slowly varying envelope approximation. Theoretically predicted MI properties are found to be in good agreement with numerical simulation. The study shows the possibility of controlling the generation of MI and formation of solitons in a cascaded quadratic-cubic media in the few cycle regimes. We also find that stable propagation of soliton-like few-cycle pulses in the medium is subject to the fulfilment of the modulation instability criteria

Search for H→γγ produced in association with top quarks and constraints on the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson using data taken at 7 TeV and 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search is performed for Higgs bosons produced in association with top quarks using the diphoton decay mode of the Higgs boson. Selection requirements are optimized separately for leptonic and fully hadronic final states from the top quark decays. The dataset used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.5 fb−14.5 fb−1 of proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 20.3 fb−1 at 8 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess over the background prediction is observed and upper limits are set on the tt¯H production cross section. The observed exclusion upper limit at 95% confidence level is 6.7 times the predicted Standard Model cross section value. In addition, limits are set on the strength of the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson, taking into account the dependence of the tt¯H and tH cross sections as well as the H→γγ branching fraction on the Yukawa coupling. Lower and upper limits at 95% confidence level are set at −1.3 and +8.0 times the Yukawa coupling strength in the Standard Model