Post-correlation radio frequency interference classification methods

We describe and compare several post-correlation radio frequency interference classification methods. As data sizes of observations grow with new and improved telescopes, the need for completely automated, robust methods for radio frequency interference mitigation is pressing. We investigated several classification methods and find that, for the data sets we used, the most accurate among them is the SumThreshold method. This is a new method formed from a combination of existing techniques, including a new way of thresholding. This iterative method estimates the astronomical signal by carrying out a surface fit in the time-frequency plane. With a theoretical accuracy of 95% recognition and an approximately 0.1% false probability rate in simple simulated cases, the method is in practice as good as the human eye in finding RFI. In addition it is fast, robust, does not need a data model before it can be executed and works in almost all configurations with its default parameters. The method has been compared using simulated data with several other mitigation techniques, including one based upon the singular value decomposition of the time-frequency matrix, and has shown better results than the rest.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures (11 in colour). The software that was used in the article can be downloaded from http://www.astro.rug.nl/rfi-software

A Study of starless dark cloud LDN 1570: Distance, Dust properties and Magnetic field geometry

We wish to map the magnetic field geometry and to study the dust properties of the starless cloud, L1570, using multi-wavelength optical polarimetry and photometry of the stars projected on the cloud. We made R-band imaging polarimetry of the stars projected on a cloud, L1570, to trace the magnetic field orientation. We also made multi-wavelength polarimetric and photometric observations to constrain the properties of dust in L1570. We estimated a distance of 394 +/- 70 pc to the cloud using 2MASS JHKs colours. Using the values of the Serkowski parameters namely $\sigma_{1}$, $\bar \epsilon$, {\lambda}max and the position of the stars on near infrared color-color diagram, we identified 13 stars that could possibly have intrinsic polarization and/or rotation in their polarization angles. One star, 2MASS J06075075+1934177, which is a B4Ve spectral type, show the presence of diffuse interstellar bands in the spectrum apart from showing H{\alpha} line in emission. There is an indication for the presence of slightly bigger dust grains towards L1570 on the basis of the dust grain size-indicators such as {\lambda}max and Rv values. The magnetic field lines are found to be parallel to the cloud structures seen in the 250{\mu}m images (also in 8{\mu}m and 12{\mu}m shadow images) of L1570. Based on the magnetic field geometry, the cloud structure and the complex velocity structure, we believe that L1570 is in the process of formation due to the converging flow material mediated by the magnetic field lines. Structure function analysis showed that in the L1570 cloud region the large scale magnetic fields are stronger when compared with the turbulent component of magnetic fields. The estimated magnetic field strengths suggest that the L1570 cloud region is sub-critical and hence could be strongly supported by the magnetic field lines.Comment: 26 pages, 22 figures, and 7 tables; Accepted for its publication in A&

Altered expression of neuroplasticity-related genes in the brain of depressed suicides

Background: Expression of the neuronal membrane glycoprotein M6a (GPM6A), the proteolipid protein (PLP/DM20) family member, is downregulated in the hippocampus of chronically stressed animals. Its neuroplastic function involves a role in neurite formation, filopodium outgrowth and synaptogenesis through an unknown mechanism. Disruptions in neuroplasticity mechanisms have been shown to play a significant part in the etiology of depression. Thus, the current investigation examined whether GPM6A expression is also altered in human depressed brain. Methods: Expression levels and coexpression patterns of GPM6A, GPM6B, and PLP1 (two other members of PLP/DM20 family) as well as of the neuroplasticity-related genes identified to associate with GPM6A were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in postmortem samples from the hippocampus (. n=. 18) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) (. n=. 25) of depressed suicide victims and compared with control subjects (hippocampus n=. 18; PFC n=. 25). Neuroplasticity-related proteins that form complexes with GPM6A were identified by coimmunoprecipitation technique followed by mass spectrometry. Results: Results indicated transcriptional downregulation of GPM6A and GPM6B in the hippocampus of depressed suicides. The expression level of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CAMK2A) and coronin1A (CORO1A) was also significantly decreased. Subsequent analysis of coexpression patterns demonstrated coordinated gene expression in the hippocampus and in the PFC indicating that the function of these genes might be coregulated in the human brain. However, in the brain of depressed suicides this coordinated response was disrupted. Conclusions: Disruption of coordinated gene expression as well as abnormalities in GPM6A and GPM6B expression and expression of the components of GPM6A complexes were detected in the brain of depressed suicides.Fil: Fuchsova, Beata. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Juliá, Anabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Rizavi, H. S.. University of Illinois; Estados UnidosFil: Frasch, Alberto Carlos C.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Pandey, G. N.. University of Illinois; Estados Unido

A Group Theoretical Identification of Integrable Equations in the Li\'enard Type Equation x¨+f(x)x˙+g(x)=0\ddot{x}+f(x)\dot{x}+g(x) = 0 : Part II: Equations having Maximal Lie Point Symmetries

In this second of the set of two papers on Lie symmetry analysis of a class of Li\'enard type equation of the form $\ddot {x} + f(x)\dot {x} + g(x)= 0$, where over dot denotes differentiation with respect to time and $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ are smooth functions of their variables, we isolate the equations which possess maximal Lie point symmetries. It is well known that any second order nonlinear ordinary differential equation which admits eight parameter Lie point symmetries is linearizable to free particle equation through point transformation. As a consequence all the identified equations turn out to be linearizable. We also show that one can get maximal Lie point symmetries for the above Li\'enard equation only when $f_{xx} =0$ (subscript denotes differentiation). In addition, we discuss the linearising transformations and solutions for all the nonlinear equations identified in this paper.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Mathematical Physic

An Overview of Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna Feed Design

In this paper , an overview of various feed design techniques of Magneto- Electric dipole antenna has been analyzed and stated. Also it has been observed that with change in feeding design , the impedance bandwidth also varies. Different feeding pattern can change the impedance bandwidth from 25.5% to 114%, with stable gain and radiation pattern

Yield sustainability through micronutrient management in Guava

A field study conducted with soil and foliar application of ZnSO4 and borax at different phenological stages of guava cv. Shewta in sandy loam soil, revealed that highest sustainable yield index (0.80) was recorded with two sprays of 0.4% ZnSO4 + 0.2% borax during fruit growth at one month interval, followed by 0.63 with three sprays of 0.4% ZnSO4 + 0.2% borax before flowering, fruit set and during fruit growth. Highest TSS (13.13°Brix), acidity (0.652%) and ascorbic acid (262.21 mg/100 g) was recorded in two sprays of 0.4% ZnSO4 + 0.2% borax at fruit growth in one month interval. Significant differences in Zn and B content in guava fruit pulp was recorded. It was noted that Guava fruit pulp had Zn content of 13.7 mg kg-1 in control tree fruits while 14.6 to 16.5 mg kg-1 in treated trees. Moreover, guava fruit pulp enriched with B (14.3 to 17.3 mg kg-1) in treated tree fruits as compared to 12.4 mg kg-1 in control trees. Micronutrient contents in leaf tissues showed significant difference in Zn and B concentration, whereas, Fe, Mn and Cu contents were statistically non-significant. The index suggested for attaining the sustainability and to economize the nutrient application, technology package consisting of two sprays of 0.4% ZnSO4 and 0.2% borax during fruit growth at one month interval should be adopted at growers’ field

A report of sample survey on births and deaths in agra district

The government of India has considered Agra to be made a ‘target free district'for MCH and family welfare programmes. For Intervention of this strategy, it is necessary to know the current trends of births, deaths and other parameters related to mother and child health, present study was under­taken in selected rural and urban slum areas of Agra district, covering total population of44,868. It was found that birth rate, death rate, infant mor­tality rate and maternal mortality rate was higher in rural area as compared to urban area. Maximum number of births were recorded during October and November and death rate vraj higher during November and December. Main causes of infact mortality ;were prematurity, low birth weight, diar­rhoea and pnettmonie and that of maternal mortality were puerperal sepsis and haemorrhag

A Novel Wideband Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna with Improved Feeding Structure

A novel feeding structure in magneto-electric dipole antenna is proposed and analyzed, which is simpler and better in performance than previous designs, involving differential feeding.  Due to this improved feeding structure, the antenna has achieved an impedance bandwidth of 133.3% ( 0.5 GHz – 2.5 GHz, resulting into an ultra-wide band antenna. The maximum broadside gain 7.5dBi with unidirectional radiation pattern has also been reported for the entire the range of operation. Symmetry in E-plane and H-plane radiation patterns has been observed due to the symmetry in structure and excitation of antenna. The antenna has also been able to achieve cross polarization levels