Weak-antilocalization and Surface Dominated Transport in Topological Insulator Bi2Se2Te

We explore the phase coherence of thin films of the topological insulator material Bi2Se2Te grown through pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The films were characterised using various techniques for phase and composition. The films were found to be of good quality. We carried out extensive magneto-transport studies of these films and found that they exhibit two dimensional weak antilocalization behaviour. A careful analysis revealed a relatively high phase coherence length (58nm at 1.78K) for a PLD grown film. Since PLD is an inexpensive technique, with the possibility to integrate with other materials, one can make devices which can be extremely useful for low power spintronics and topological quantum computation.Comment: 16 page

Utilization of Crop Stubble as Alternate Source of Electricity Generation

The states of India including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh follow combine harvesting method followed by burning of crop stubble to clear the fields for next crop. Crop stubble burning is the reason of annual increment in pollution concentrations which lead to massive winter pollution in the region. However, several initiatives for its proper management have been taken up by various departments and institutions of the states’ government but still air pollution level is increasing. Instead of burning the crop residue, it can be used in other ways, which are beneficial to humanity. Keeping in view the increasing problems associated with the crop stubble burning in the state of Punjab, we have taken some steps towards exploring alternative uses of straw instead of burning. This study is an attempt to outline alternative use like use of rice straw for generation of electricity through microbial fuel cell. With the help of this crop stubble, electricity can be produced, and it can be used as a sustainable source of energy in the remote areas. This study underscores the importance of rice straw as a potential source of biomass for recovering energy through MFCs. It is also focused on suggesting policies to the government so that air pollution can be minimized in affected areas.

Reconfigurable neural spiking in bias field-free spin Hall nano oscillator

In this study, we theoretically investigate neuron-like spiking dynamics in an elliptic ferromagnet/heavy metal bilayer-based spin Hall nano oscillator (SHNO) in bias field-free condition, much suitable for practical realization of brain inspired computing schemes. We demonstrate regular periodic spiking with tunable frequency as well as the leaky-integrate-and-fire (LIF) behavior in a single SHNO by manipulating the pulse features of input current. The frequency of regular periodic spiking is tunable in a range of 0.5 GHz to 0.96 GHz (460 MHz bandwidth) through adjusting the magnitude of constant input dc current density. We further demonstrate the reconfigurability of spiking dynamics in response to a time varying input accomplished by continuously increasing the input current density as a linear function of time. Macrospin theory and micromagnetic simulation provide insights into the origin of bias field-free auto-oscillation and the spiking phenomena in our SHNO. In addition, we discuss how the shape anisotropy of the elliptic ferromagnet influence the bias field-free auto oscillation characteristics, including threshold current, frequency and transition from in-plane to out-of-plane precession. The SHNO operates below $10^{12} A/m^2$ input current density and exhibits a large auto-oscillation amplitude, ensuring high output power. We show that the threshold current density can be reduced by decreasing the ellipticity of the ferromagnet layer as well as enhancing the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. These findings highlight the potential of bias field-free elliptic SHNO in designing power-efficient spiking neuron-based neuromorphic hardware

Attitude of Farmers Towards Improved Soybean Production Technology in Indore District of Madhya Pradesh

The present investigation was conducted in Indore block of Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. One hundred twenty respondents were selected randomly from 12 villages which were selected purposively. The primary data were gathered by the researcher itself through pre-structured interview schedule. Appropriate statistical tools were used to interpret the collected data to draw logical conclusion. The finding inferred that majority of farmers were having medium level of attitude towards improved soybean production technology. Age, Education, land holding, Mass media exposure, Extension contacts, Economic motivation were observed positive and significant correlation with their attitude level. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2021.v08i7.01

Study of digital modulation techniques in the presence and absence of noise

This project deals with study, design and construction of laboratory apparatus in Cryogenics Engineering and Vacuum Technology field. Project's aim is to develop such laboratory apparatus and model which can serve as the laboratory experiments for both undergraduate and post graduate students. This project work is broadly classified into two sub projects:-- 1. Design & Construction of Cryogenic Apparatus 2. Design & Construction of various apparatus related to Vacuum Technology In the cryogenic field, we are developing an apparatus which will use liquid nitrogen as the working fluid and will demonstrate various accessories of a basic cryogenic setup such as storage Dewars, insulated pipelines, valves etc. Also heat in leak measurement will be done with the help of two temperature measuring devices across a test pipeline. Level of vacuum is made variable by connecting it to a rotary pump through a buffer vessel. Design of various components is done like thickness and length of test pipeline, capacity of vaporizer, safety devices, calculations of heat transfer coefficients and inner & outer wall temperatures through a programmed iterative process is done. At last predicted nature of heat in leak variation with change in vacuum level is discussed and complete bill of materials is given. For Vacuum Technology lab, design and construction of various apparatus for conducting experiments related to vacuum science was to be done. Two apparatus, one for pumping speed measurement by constant volume method and other related to boiling point of water at room temperature ad reduced pressure, sound propagation n vacuum and forces in vacuum is designed and constructed. Also, experimental readings, tables & graphs for these experiments are documented so that they can be used as standard results. Apart from these, a vacuum apparatus for measurement of pumping speed by constant pressure method is designed and constructed by us in Vacuum Lab, IIT Kharagpur and results obtained are compared with that of constant pressure method. Bill of materials for setting this apparatus in our institute is given. Design of an apparatus for measurement of conductance of vacuum pipes & that of overall conductance of a number of pipes of different diameters in parallel is completed. Bill of materials for the same is suggested. Designing of new vacuum vessels to be purchased for Vacuum & Cryogenics Lab, NIT Rourkela is also done using Roark’s formulas for stress and strain. Vessel design supported with calculations and number of figures is also given

In vitro characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae HM535662 obtained from an indigenous fermented food “Bhaturu” of Western Himalayas

A predominant yeast designated as SB1 was isolated from Bhaturu, a traditional fermented food of Western Himalayas and was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae - HM535662 on the basis of ribosomal gene (partial 18S, complete internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), complete 5.8S, complete ITS2 and partial 28S ribosomal regions) analysis. It was further evaluated for probiotic traits by in vitro tests. The isolate was investigated for tolerance studies in simulated gastric and intestinal juices. Reduction in viability (in terms of log colony formng unit (CFU)/ml) was more in simulated gastric juice of pH 2 as compared to pH 3. The isolate was tolerant to bile conditions but without the exhibition of any bile salt deconjugation activity. The isolate also showed adhesion attributes such as cell surface hydrophobicity (58.21 + 1.09%) and autoaggregation ability (67.42 + 0.33%). It exhibited 38.30 ± 0.27 (intracellular cell free extract) and 42.51 ± 0.37% (whole cell extracts) antioxidative activity by scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical.Key words: Probiotic, yeast, Western Himalayas, adhesion, bile antioxidant

SKELETAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A REVIEW

Drug delivery refers to approaches, formulations, technologies, and systems for transporting a pharmaceutical compound in the body as needed to safely achieve its desired therapeutic effect. Skeletal drug delivery systems (SDDS) are used to deliver the drug directly to skeletal tissue through various conventional and novel approaches, thereby improving the therapeutic effectiveness of drugs in bone diseases. It may involve scientific site-targeting within the body, or it might involve facilitating systemic pharmacokinetics; in any case, it is typically concerned with both quantity and duration of drug presence.Ranging from used of poultice and now with the advent of self setting cements, nanoparticles, liposomes etc for targeting the drug to the poorly perfused body organs, the development of delivery systems to bones/ skeletal system have come a long way. The present work reviews the delivery systems that are prevalent and is dedicated towards a rationale selection of the drugs and dosage forms for skeletal diseases