Induced Size Effects Of Gd3+ ions Doping On Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Ni-Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles

Gd3+ ions substituted in Ni0.5Zn0.5GdxFe2-xO4 (where x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) ferrite nanoparticles in the size range from 15 to 25 nm were prepared by chemical method. The effect of Gd3+ ions in spinel structure in correlation to structural and magnetic properties have been studied in detail using XRD, HRTEM and EPR techniques. The spin resonance confirms the ferromagnetic behaviour of these nanoparticles and higher order of dipolar-dipolar interaction. On increasing Gd3+ ions concentrations, the super exchange interaction i.e. increase in movement of electron among Gd3+ - O - Fe3+ in the core group and the spin biasing in the glass layer has been interpreted. The decrease in ‘g’ value and increase in relaxation time is well correlated with the change of particle size on different concentrations of Gd3+ ions in Ni-Zn ferrite

Variation in grain zinc and iron concentrations, grain yield and associated traits of biofortified bread wheat genotypes in Nepal

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major staples in Nepal providing the bulk of food calories and at least 30% of Fe and Zn intake and 20% of dietary energy and protein consumption; thus, it is essential to improve its nutritional quality. To select high-yielding genotypes with elevated grain zinc and iron concentration, the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth HarvestPlus Yield Trials (HPYTs) were conducted across diverse locations in Nepal for four consecutive years: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, and 2018–19, using 47 biofortified and 3 non-biofortified CIMMYT-bred, bread wheat genotypes: Baj#1, Kachu#1, and WK1204 (local check). Genotypic and spatial variations were found in agro-morphological traits; grain yield and its components; and the grain zinc and iron concentration of tested genotypes. Grain zinc concentration was highest in Khumaltar and lowest in Kabre. Likewise, grain iron concentration was highest in Doti and lowest in Surkhet. Most of the biofortified genotypes were superior for grain yield and for grain zinc and iron concentration to the non-biofortified checks. Combined analyses across environments showed moderate to high heritability for both Zn (0.48–0.81) and Fe (0.46–0.79) except a low heritability for Fe observed for 7th HPYT (0.15). Grain yield was positively correlated with the number of tillers per m2, while negatively correlated with days to heading and maturity, grain iron, grain weight per spike, and thousand grain weight. The grain zinc and iron concentration were positively correlated, suggesting that the simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients is possible through wheat breeding. Extensive testing of CIMMYT derived high Zn wheat lines in Nepal led to the release of five biofortified wheat varieties in 2020 with superior yield, better disease resistance, and 30–40% increased grain Zn and adaptable to a range of wheat growing regions in the country – from the hotter lowland, or Terai, regions to the dry mid- and high-elevation areas

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe

Elliptic flow of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

The elliptic flow, v(2), of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity (2.5 <y <4) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)= 2.76TeVwith the ALICE detector at the LHC. The scalar product, two- and four-particle Q cumulants and Lee-Yang zeros methods are used. The dependence of the v(2) of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays on the collision centrality, in the range 0-40%, and on transverse momentum, p(T), is studied in the interval 3 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. A positive v(2) is observed with the scalar product and two-particle Q cumulants in semi-central collisions (10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes) for the p(T) interval from 3 to about 5GeV/c with a significance larger than 3 sigma, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The v(2) magnitude tends to decrease towards more central collisions and with increasing pT. It becomes compatible with zero in the interval 6 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. The results are compared to models describing the interaction of heavy quarks and open heavy-flavour hadrons with the high-density medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Seasonal Incidence of Mite and Infuence of Pesticidal Application on Orchid Flower Production

Investigations were carried out in 2010 to determine the influence of abiotic factors on the incidence of the two spotted spider mite; Tetranychus urticae Koch and to determine the influence of pesticides on orchid flower production. Initially, in January, the mite population was very low (1.0 mite/10 cm2 leaf area). The population gradually increased and peaked to 22.98 mites/10 cm2 leaf area in the first fortnight of May along with the rise in temperature and sunshine. Then, the population declined to a low level of 3.43 mites/10 cm2 leaf area in the first fortnight of December. Maximum and minimum temperatures had a significant positive correlation and sunshine had a non-significant positive correlation, whereas relative humidity and rainfall had a non-significant negative correlation with the mite population. Infestation of the two spotted spider mite was more severe in untreated conditions in comparison to the treated ones. The difference was due to various abiotic factors and natural pest infestation occurrence which drastically affected the flower quality and yield. In unprotected conditions, the number of flower spikes/plant (1.90±0.44 spikes), number of flowers/spike (7.35±1.04 flowers), spike length (42.59±5.69 cm), flower spike diameter (5.26±0.66 mm), and flower size (6.27±0.86 cm) was very low. In protected conditions, flower quality and yield were superior than in unprotected conditions i.e. number of flower spike/plant (2.92±0.57 spikes), number of flowers/spike (11.78±1.16 flowers), spike length (57.59±7.35 cm), diameter of flower spikes (9.09±1.01 mm), and flower size (6.73±1.16 cm)

Magnetic Fluid Based High Precision Temperature Sensor

We have developed a high precision (3.7 mK) temperature sensor using nanomagnetic fluid bearing. The device is based on the basic principle of Charles law (v alpha T). For this, we have prepared kerosene-based magnetic fluid for ferrofluid bearing formation with permanent magnet. The ferrofluid bearing has very low coefficient of friction (mu f = 0.002), and provides a frictionless movement and perfect sealing. The device is highly sensitive as it uses air as a working media whose coefficient of volume expansion (0.0036) is much larger (20 times) than mercury (0.00018), ethanol (0.00026), and so on usually used in expansion-based thermometers. At constant atmospheric pressure (1 atm), a temperature variation of 1 degrees C causes a variation of 20 mm (capillary diameter 5 mm) in the position of fluid column. The device has been calibrated and tested using standard calibrated equipment's. The device shows the high sensitivity of 3.7 (+/- 0.2) mK and can be used where high accuracy in temperature measurements is required. The device sensitivity and range is easily customizable. The device is capable of finding many useful applications, viz., standards and the calibration of thermometers

Pattern of presumed tuberculous uveitis in a tertiary eye care centre of Nepal

Purpose: To evaluate the pattern of presumed tuberculous uveitis and its various clinical presentation. Methods: This hospital based, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal from January 2013 to June 2014. All uveitis patients presenting to uveitis clinic were included in the study. A complete ophthalmic examination, systemic evaluation and tailored investigations were done for each individual patient and the findings were recorded. Results: Out of 1140 uveitis patients evaluated, 12 patients (1.05%) had presumed tuberculous uveitis. Panuveitis (five patients, 41.7%) was the most common form of uveitis, followed by posterior (four patients, 33.3%) and anterior uveitis (three patients, 25%). All patients showed signs of clinical resolution after the institution of anti-tuberculous therapy along with drugs for the control of intraocular inflammation. Conclusion: Panuveitis and posterior uveitis were the common forms of clinical presentation of presumed tuberculous uveitis in this study. Treatment with anti-tuberculous therapy along with drugs to control intraocular inflammation resolves presumed tuberculous uveitis