Variation of Physical Constants, Redshift and the Arrow of Time

Theories of fundamental physics as well as cosmology must ultimately not only account for the structure and evolution of the universe and the physics of fundamental interactions, but also lead to an understanding of why this particular universe follows the physics that it does. Such theories must ultimately lead to an understanding of the values of the fundamental constants themselves. However, all such efforts have failed, leaving fundamental constants outside of any physical theories. In this paper we take a different approach than the usual evolutionary picture where the physics itself is assumed invariant. We study numerical relations among fundamental constants starting from relationships first proposed by Weinberg (1972). We have shown (Kafatos et al.2000) that they turn out to be equivalent to the relations found by Dirac (1937). Then a new scaling hypothesis relating the speed of light c and the scale of the universe R is explored. The coincidences of Dirac and Eddington(1931) concerning large numbers and ratios of fundamental constants do not need to be explained in our view, rather they are accepted as premises and in the process, they yield a fundamentally different view of the cosmos. We develop an axiomatic approach and the fundamental constants can be assumed to vary and this variation leads to an apparent expansion of the universe. Also the variation of constants leads to change in the parameters like permittivity and refractive index of the quantum vacuum. This gives rise to a possibility of explaining some of anomalies found in the observations of high redshift quasars. The variations of the fundamental constants lead to a changing universe,i.e., the number of nucleons varies, etc. The increase of the number of nucleons and the redshift of the spectral lines appear to be related to the emergence of an arrow of time as perceived by an observer in the present universe. Possible implications of this new approach in astrophysical domains are discussed

Temperature and dissolved oxygen stratification in the lake Rudrasagar: Preliminary investigations

Temperature drives the major physico-chemical and biological actions in inland water bodies. The higher the water temperature, the greater the biogeochemical activity influenced by the environmental intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. Temperature also controls the dynamics of sustainability of various aquatic organisms that live in lakes and reservoirs, though higher life forms, such as fish, insects, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and other aquatic species all have a recommended temperature variety. The increase in water temperature due to the increase in atmospheric air temperature results in lake water column stratification and the dissolved oxygen level variation in aquatic systems are greatly affected. The vertical distributions of dissolved oxygen in the water column are highly dependent due to change in vertical temperature gradient. In the present paper, an effort has been made to investigate the impact of temperature stratification on dissolved oxygen variability in the Rudrasagar, a natural lake in western Tripura. The changes in dissolved oxygen distribution in this natural lake will give us an idea of regional lake health condition and will also establish the need of further large scale research concerning the development of a biophysical-coupled model

Temperature and dissolved oxygen stratification in the lake Rudrasagar: Preliminary investigations

Temperature drives the major physico-chemical and biological actions in inland water bodies. The higher the water temperature, the greater the biogeochemical activity influenced by the environmental intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. Temperature also controls the dynamics of sustainability of various aquatic organisms that live in lakes and reservoirs, though higher life forms, such as fish, insects, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and other aquatic species all have a recommended temperature variety. The increase in water temperature due to the increase in atmospheric air temperature results in lake water column stratification and the dissolved oxygen level variation in aquatic systems are greatly affected. The vertical distributions of dissolved oxygen in the water column are highly dependent due to change in vertical temperature gradient. In the present paper, an effort has been made to investigate the impact of temperature stratification on dissolved oxygen variability in the Rudrasagar, a natural lake in western Tripura. The changes in dissolved oxygen distribution in this natural lake will give us an idea of regional lake health condition and will also establish the need of further large scale research concerning the development of a biophysical-coupled model.   Keywords: Thermal stratification, Dissolved Oxygen, Thermocline, Rudrasagar Lake, Hypolimnio

Limnological Comparisons of Threats to Aquatic Life Owing to Thermal Stratification in two Morphometrically Different Urban Shallow Lakes

A minimum value in the Dissolved Oxygen distribution of two shallow lakes namely, Rabindra Sarobar in south Kolkata and Subhas Sarobar in East Kolkata in the Gangetic Delta plain, has been observed to develop in the Hypolimnion during the stratified period. This minimum is usually explained by the accumulation of organic matter from the overlying layer of water. The introduction of organic matter from allochthonous and autochthonous sources is also a likely contributor to the accelerated oxygen depletion within Hypolimnion. The thermal stratification, in general, which occurs in these tropical lakes, is of direct relevance in maintaining the water quality standards, particularly for higher aquatic life. The present article attempts to investigate the possible depletion of hypolimnetic oxygen depletion as a result of the impact of thermal stratification.  These investigations will be the basic guidelines for the fishermen and their livelihoods potentially depend upon the different varieties of fishing on daily basis. The massive summer fish kills in these lakes is a major devastating happenings that is reported by the fishermen and also it is well evident from our experimental observations.  The comparison of the biodiversity of these two lakes is attempted in the present investigation. Key Words: Thermal stratification, Dissolved Oxygen, Tropical Shallow Lake, Hypolimnion, biodiversit

Provision of emergency contraceptive services through paraprofessionals in India

In 2004, with funding for technical assistance provided by USAID, the Indian Council of Medical Research funded and collaborated with the Frontiers in Reproductive Health (FRONTIERS) program of the Population Council on a two-year study to assess the usefulness and effectiveness of using paraprofessionals in educating and providing emergency contraception (ECP) services to potential users. Based on the findings and advocacy efforts, the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare introduced ECP as an over-the-counter medication beginning in September 2005. This made it possible for paraprofessionals in the National Family Planning Program to provide ECP services, making the method widely accessible to women who need it. The study demonstrated that paraprofessionals could easily be trained to provide ECP services and that the quality of their services is slightly better than the quality of the same services provided by physicians. Guidelines and funding for the scale-up of ECP services should incorporate the use of paraprofessionals as well as physicians as a best practice in public health