Silicon-on-insulator photonic crystal miniature devices with slow light enhanced third-order nonlinearities

The effects of the slow-down factor on third-order nonlinear effects in silicon-on-insulator photonic crystal channel waveguides were investigated. In the slow light regime, with a group index equal to 99, these nonlinear effects are enhanced but the enhancement produced depends on the input peak power level. Simulations indicate the possibility of soliton-like propagation of 1 ps pulses at an input peak power level of 50 mW inside such a photonic crystal waveguide. The increase in the induced phase shift produced by lower group velocities can be used to decrease the size and power requirements needed to operate devices such as optical switches, logic gates, and wavelength translators

THE DYNAMICS OF RAPE IN MODERN INDIAN SOCIETY

Rape is malum in se. In modern India the institution of rape has flourishedimmensely in recent times, and presently it is a national problem. It is a challenge to thecontemporary thinking. Gender equality is enshrined in the Indian constitution. In ancienttimes rape existed in Europe while women in India had divine personification as Shakti andin modern times millions of Indians visit Shakti temples with liberal offerings.This paper addresses dynamics of rape with particular reference to India. Rape is amultidimensional and dynamic phenomenon. Its perception may vary from radical to liberal,and the legal definition keeps evolving. Mathematically it may be modeled as a space-timefunction. In 2013 the definition of rape was revised both in India and US. It, however,differs. The paper examines recently introduced Indian law to reduce rape incidents.There are various areas which need attention to have insight into the phenomenon ofrape and measures to control the incidents. This includes understanding the effect of socioeconomic-demographic predictor variables in reduction of the incidents. The authors haveapplied statistical analysis using correlation to rape data from all the 35 regions of Indiawith eleven socio-economic-demographic predictor variables to find the effect of thevariables on incidents of rape. It was found that only literacy status, or literacy status as aproxy, for male and female in urban population indicated significant desirable effect on thenumber of rape incidents. This sets a direction for further research. The rape challenge shouldbe addressed with afresh look from multidisciplinary perspective besides law andenforcement. The fusion of data, analyses, and ideas including from sociological, cultural,psychological, and religious aspects, and encouraging merging of tools from disciplines,should provide an insightful and sound approach to find solution to the intractable socialproblem. Also social change with the universal wisdom thoughts of great minds like MahatmaGandhi and Elie Wiesel is desirable to eliminate ills, including rape, from the modern society

Photon-Photon Collision: Simultaneous Observation of Wave-Particle Characteristics of Light

The proposed paper presents the analysis of electromagnetic waves meeting at a point in terms of their particle characteristics. The observation that light beams moves un-deviated when encountered at a point, which is commonly justified on the wave characteristics of light, is now presented as momentum and wavelength exchange phenomenon of photon collision. Theoretical and mathematical justification of photon’s inter-collision, on the basis of their quasi-point particle behavior is offered and the observation of the non-variation of wavelength of light beams is explained. Thus, the observation of light’s non-deviation at the crossing point is explained as momentum exchange phenomenon on the basis of particle characteristics of light. Keywords: Basic Quantum Mechanics, Bohr’s Complementary Principle, Collision Mechanic

From Network Structure to Dynamics and Back Again: Relating dynamical stability and connection topology in biological complex systems

The recent discovery of universal principles underlying many complex networks occurring across a wide range of length scales in the biological world has spurred physicists in trying to understand such features using techniques from statistical physics and non-linear dynamics. In this paper, we look at a few examples of biological networks to see how similar questions can come up in very different contexts. We review some of our recent work that looks at how network structure (e.g., its connection topology) can dictate the nature of its dynamics, and conversely, how dynamical considerations constrain the network structure. We also see how networks occurring in nature can evolve to modular configurations as a result of simultaneously trying to satisfy multiple structural and dynamical constraints. The resulting optimal networks possess hubs and have heterogeneous degree distribution similar to those seen in biological systems.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Proceedings of "Dynamics On and Of Complex Networks", ECSS'07 Satellite Workshop, Dresden, Oct 1-5, 200

QTL-seq for the identification of candidate genes for days to flowering and leaf shape in pigeonpea

To identify genomic segments associated with days to flowering (DF) and leaf shape in pigeonpea, QTL-seq approach has been used in the present study. Genome-wide SNP profiling of extreme phenotypic bulks was conducted for both the traits from the segregating population (F2) derived from the cross combination- ICP 5529 × ICP 11605. A total of 126.63 million paired-end (PE) whole-genome resequencing data were generated for five samples, including one parent ICP 5529 (obcordate leaf and late-flowering plant), early and late flowering pools (EF and LF) and obcordate and lanceolate leaf shape pools (OLF and LLS). The QTL-seq identified two significant genomic regions, one on CcLG03 (1.58 Mb region spanned from 19.22 to 20.80 Mb interval) for days to flowering (LF and EF pools) and another on CcLG08 (2.19 Mb region spanned from 6.69 to 8.88 Mb interval) for OLF and LLF pools, respectively. Analysis of genomic regions associated SNPs with days to flowering and leaf shape revealed 5 genic SNPs present in the unique regions. The identified genomic regions for days to flowering were also validated with the genotyping-by-sequencing based classical QTL mapping method. A comparative analysis of the identified seven genes associated with days to flowering on 12 Fabaceae genomes, showed synteny with 9 genomes. A total of 153 genes were identified through the synteny analysis ranging from 13 to 36. This study demonstrates the usefulness of QTL-seq approach in precise identification of candidate gene(s) for days to flowering and leaf shape which can be deployed for pigeonpea improvement

Modelling of DMNB Content for Marked Plastic Explosives

2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB) has been internationally accepted as an additive forthe purpose of marking, as it has desired vapour pressure for reliable detection. It is reportedto be compatible with known explosive formulations and has a good shelf life. Explosivecompositions with DMNB as marking agent can be detected in the temperature range –20 ºC to+ 50 ºC. This paper describes modelling for quantifying activation energy for depletion of  DMNBin the marked explosives, period for definite detection of the marked explosives and optimuminitial concentration needed for the detection of DMNB content in the marked  plastic explosives

An analysis of genetic variation and divergence in Indian tropical polyvoltine silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) genotypes

The genetic variation and diversity among fifty-eight polyvoltine silkworm genotypes was estimated by using ten economic traits. The results revealed that the single shell weight showed higher genetic variation such as PCV% (17.20%), GCV% (12.93%), and heritability (56.5%) followed by single cocoon weight, shell ratio and matured larval weight. The D2 (Mahalonobis? distance) statistics revealed nine clusters with substantial inter and intra cluster distances. The genotypes included in different clusters varied from 1 to 16. The genotype Pure Mysore was included in isolated cluster indicates its longer adaptation. The genotypes included in cluster VIII and IX showed optimum genetic distance along with higher cluster mean emphasised for utilization in the silkworm breeding

Identification and validation of selected universal stress protein domain containing drought-responsive genes in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Pigeonpea is a resilient crop, which is relatively more drought tolerant than many other legume crops. To understand the molecular mechanisms of this unique feature of pigeonpea, 51 genes were selected using the Hidden Markov Models (HMM) those codes for proteins having close similarity to universal stress protein domain. Validation of these genes was conducted on three pigeonpea genotypes (ICPL 151, ICPL 8755, and ICPL 227) having different levels of drought tolerance. Gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR revealed 6, 8, and 18 genes to be ≥2-fold differentially expressed in ICPL 151, ICPL 8755, and ICPL 227, respectively. A total of 10 differentially expressed genes showed ≥2-fold up-regulation in the more drought tolerant genotype, which encoded four different classes of proteins. These include plant U-box protein (four genes), universal stress protein A-like protein (four genes), cation/H(+) antiporter protein (one gene) and an uncharacterized protein (one gene). Genes C.cajan_29830 and C.cajan_33874 belonging to uspA, were found significantly expressed in all the three genotypes with ≥2-fold expression variations. Expression profiling of these two genes on the four other legume crops revealed their specific role in pigeonpea. Therefore, these genes seem to be promising candidates for conferring drought tolerance specifically to pigeonpea

Genomics and breeding innovations for enhancing genetic gain for climate resilience and nutrition traits

Accelerating genetic gain in crop improvement programs with respect to climate resilience and nutrition traits, and the realization of the improved gain in farmers’ fields require integration of several approaches. This article focuses on innovative approaches to address core components of the breeder’s equation. A prerequisite to enhancing genetic variance (σ2g) is the identification or creation of favorable alleles/haplotypes and their deployment for improving key traits. Novel alleles for new and existing target traits need to be accessed and added to the breeding population while maintaining genetic diversity. Selection intensity (i) in the breeding program can be improved by testing a larger population size, enabled by the statistical designs with minimal replications and high-throughput phenotyping. Selection priorities and criteria to select appropriate portion of the population too assume an important role. The most important component of breeder′s equation is heritability (h2). Heritability estimates depend on several factors including the size and the type of population and the statistical methods. The present article starts with a brief discussion on the potential ways to enhance σ2g in the population. We highlight statistical methods and experimental designs that could improve trait heritability estimation. We also offer a perspective on reducing the breeding cycle time (t), which could be achieved through the selection of appropriate parents, optimizing the breeding scheme, rapid fixation of target alleles, and combining speed breeding with breeding programs to optimize trials for release. Finally, we summarize knowledge from multiple disciplines for enhancing genetic gains for climate resilience and nutritional traits

Empowering married young women and improving their sexual and reproductive health: Effects of the First-time Parents Project

The Population Council, in partnership with Child In Need Institute in Kolkata, Deepak Charitable Trust in Vadodara, and International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, initiated the First-time Parents Project in India to develop and test an integrated package of health and social interventions to improve married young women’s reproductive and sexual health knowledge and practices, enhance their ability to act in their own interest, and expand their social support networks. The project was formulated on the hypothesis that the periods immediately following marriage and surrounding the first pregnancy and birth offer a unique and powerful entry point for improving the situation of married young women. Findings indicate that the intervention had a significant, positive net effect on most indicators reflecting married young women’s autonomy, social support networks, partner communication, and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health. However, the net effect of exposure to the intervention was mixed with regard to indicators related to gender role attitudes and attitudes toward domestic violence, as well as reproductive health practices. The experience of the intervention demonstrates that it is feasible to improve married young women’s reproductive health knowledge and practices, expand their sources of social support, and involve them in activities with peers in safe spaces outside the home, and through the process empower them in their marital and familial relationships. The report suggests that this model could also be integrated into existing NGO or government services, and could be tested for implementation on a larger scale