Some Aspects of Rotational and Magnetic Energies for a Hierarchy of Celestial Objects

Celestial objects, from earth like planets to clusters of galaxies, possess angular momentum and magnetic fields. Here we compare the rotational and magnetic energies of a whole range of these celestial objects together with their gravitational self energies and find a number of interesting relationships. The celestial objects, due to their magnetic fields, also posses magnetic moments. The ratio of magnetic moments of these objects with the nuclear magnetic moments also exhibits interesting trends. We also compare their gyromagnetic ratio which appears to fall in a very narrow range for the entire hierarchy of objects. Here we try to understand the physical aspects implied by these observations and the origin of these properties in such a wide range of celestial objects, spanning some twenty orders in mass, magnetic field and other parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 37 equation

Detection of Carbamates in Honeybees and Bee-Products of Karnataka State

Honeybee species like A. cerana , A. dorsata and A. florea are well distributed in Karnataka state. Monitoring of pesticides by honeybees and their products as biological indicators is of great importance because of their toxicity to human beings and pot ential hazard. The monitoring of pesticide residues in honey helps to assess the potential risk to consumers’ health, providing information on the pesticides used in the field crops. The indiscriminate use of pesticides in the agro ecosystems is the major environmental health concern. In the present investigation, 253 samples of honeybees, honey, pollen, brood and wax were collected in different zones of Karnataka during 2 010 - 2013. The concentration of three pesticides like carbaryl carbofuran and methomyl belonging to carbamate group was determined through HPLC. Twenty samples were contaminated of which carbofuran and methomy l were detected in 16 and four samples respectively. Carbamates have one of the highest acute toxicities to humans among pesticides wi dely used on agri - horticultural crops due to its activity as a cholinesterase inhibitor and neurotoxicity. The study revealed that the agro and forest ecosystems of Karnataka has not been contaminated with high degree of pesticide residues as indicated by the bees and bee products except very low concentration in few areas of the state. There is an urgent need to monitor bee pollinator health as they are indispensible organism in the ecosystem and contributing for increased crop production and food securit

A- and B-Exciton Photoluminescence Intensity Ratio as a Measure of Sample Quality for Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers

The photoluminescence (PL) in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is dominated by recombination of electrons in the conduction band with holes in the spin-orbit split valence bands, and there are two distinct emission features referred to as the A-peak (ground state exciton) and B-peak (higher spin-orbit split state). The intensity ratio of these two features varies widely and several contradictory interpretations have been reported. We analyze the room temperature PL from MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2 monolayers and show that these variations arise from differences in the non-radiative recombination associated with defect densities. Hence, the relative intensities of the A- and B-emission features can be used to qualitatively asses the non-radiative recombination, and thus the quality of the sample. A low B/A ratio is indicative of low defect density and high sample quality. Emission from TMD monolayers is governed by unique optical selection rules which make them promising materials for valleytronic operations. We observe a notably higher valley polarization in the B-exciton relative to the A-exciton. The high polarization is a consequence of the shorter B-exciton lifetime resulting from rapid relaxation of excitons from the B-exciton to the A-exciton of the valence band.Comment: Final version is published online at APL Material

Mitochondrial DNA Diversity Studies in Apis cerana populations of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Ecological diversity of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve provides an appropriate foraging and nesting substrates for different honeybee species making honey hunting a lucrative activity. The molecular diversity studies of Apis cerana, the indigenous strain of India in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is very much essential as it provides significant guidance to beekeepers about breeding strategies that would aide in their colonies to survive. The current research in this paper describe s the pilot study undertook to evaluate the genetic diversity of Apis cerana from populations of Biosphere. Bee colonies from 10 localities of Nilgiri Biosphere have been genetically haracterized through COI gene of mitochondrial genome, providing discreet characteristics for intra- specific diversity studies. There are two predominant species of Indian honey bees, Apis cerana cerana (black strain) and Apis cerana indica (yellow strain). This has led to infer the taxonomic status of two subspecies of Apis cerana. The results suggest that the mobile beekeeping in Nilgiris has resulted in genetic recombination of different strains which are grouped together in the phylogenetic clades. The paper discusses the possibility of introduction of honeybees in India in evolutionary time frame and resolving the diversity in Indian honeybees by assessing the phylogeography. Further characterization of genetic diversity is in need with respect to extensive sampling and with different mitochondrial genes. Mitochondrial DNA Diversity Studies in Apis cerana populations of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264382514_Mitochondrial_DNA_Diversity_Studies_in_Apis_cerana_populations_of_Nilgiri_Biosphere_Reserve [accessed Sep 24, 2016]

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of leaves and stem bark extracts of Garcinia imberti - an endangered Plant.

Garcinia imberti Bourd. a critically endangered tree belongs to the family Clusiaceae found only in India. The phytochemicals and antioxidant studies were carried out for the methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti leaves and stem bark using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assay. Preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti revealed the presence of various bioactive components like alkaloids, flavanoids, steroids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, terpenoids, resins, carbohydrates and tannins in both leaves and stem bark. The quantitative analysis of phytochemicals of the extracts showed the presence of high amount of tannins (0.92 ± 0.23mg/gm) and alkaloids (0.83 ± 0.48mg/gm) in leaf and high concentration of flavanoids (0.65±0.16mg/gm) and tannins (0.78±1.12mg/gm) in bark extract. The result of the present study concluded that the methanolic extracts of Garcinia imberti leaves and stem bark possess significant antioxidant activity due to the presence of significant amount of phenolic compounds which are the major contributors of antioxidant activity. The finding of this study suggests that the studied plant is a potential source of natural antioxidant that could have great importance as therapeutic agents in preventing or slowing the progress of oxidative stress related degenerative diseases

Floral Ecology and Reproductive Biology of Pterospermum Reticulatum Wight and Arn. (sterculiaceae): A Vulnerable Tree Species of Western Ghats of India

Pterospermum reticulatum Wight and Arn is a vulnerable according to IUCN red list category (1998). In the present study observations were made on floral ecology and reproductive biology of Pterospermum reticulatum at Pilikula reserve forest, Mangalore, Karnataka during 2012-2013. The peak flowering was observed during February to April and anthesis occurred in the even ing between 18:30 -22:30hrs. Inflorescences in terminal or axillary fascicles, Flowers are white colour and 5 petals and 5 linear sepals. Stamens are 15, in group of five. Fruits are capsule, brown, 5-angled and 5-valved, development of fruit to dehiscence was observed. Pollen production per flower was counted 3, 93499.9 and pollen ovule ratio was 1: 393500. Floral biology including the stigma receptivity, pollen viability, pollen germination and pollen tube growth were recorded during the flowering period. Macro and Micro nutrients of the soil collected from the rhizosphere were analyzed. The factors responsible for declining of the population of Pterospermum reticulatum are discussed

A pilot study on genetic diversity in Indian honeybees-Apis cerana of Karnataka populations

Unravelling the genetic diversity studies of Apis cerana, the indigenous strain of India is very much essential as it provides significant guidance to beekeepers about breeding strategies that would aide in their colonies to survive. There are two predominant species of Indian honey bees, Apis cerana cerana (black strain) and Apis cerana indica (yellow strain). Currently there are no reports on diversity studies on these subspecies are available. The current research in this paper describes the pilot study undertook to evaluate the genetic diversity of Apis cerana from populations of Karnataka. Bee colonies from 12 localities of Karnataka have been genetically characterized through COI gene of mitochondrial genome, providing discreet characteristics for intra-specific diversity studies. This has led to infer the taxonomic status of two subspecies of Apis cerana. The results suggest that Indian populations have larger effective size and genetic diversity. The paper discusses the possibility of introduction of honeybees in India in evolutionary time frame and resolving the diversity in Indian honeybees by assessing the phylogeography