Relativity and EPR Entanglement: Comments

Recent experiment by Zhinden et al (Phys. Rev {\bf A} 63 02111, 2001) purports to test compatibility between relativity and quantum mechanics in the classic EPR setting. We argue that relativity has no role in the EPR argument based solely on non-relativistic quantum formalism. It is suggested that this interesting experiment may have significance to address fundamental questions on quantum probability.Comment: 6 pages, no figure; Submitted to Phys. Rev.

An Overview of Potential Ecotourism Resources and Their Prospects in Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal, India

Protected areas are major tourism assets for a nation, particularly for developing countries providing sustainable benefit to the local community while funding for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the protected areas themselves. Valley of flowers national park is naturally meant for the conservation and study of western Himalayan flora. It became National park in 1982 and after that livestock grazing ceased and restrictions were imposed on nearby villagers. The valley has an unusually rich flora of over 600 Himalayan species growing in an area of less than 2500 hectares with many rarities. Animals found are nationally rare or endangered. It is also a habitat of endangered Asiatic black beer, brown bear, Himalayan musk deer and snow leopard, blue sheep are rare. The common leopard is reported from lower parts of valley closer to the villages. Local people have also reported evidence of Himalayan brown bear. Other factors that are contributing to ecotourism are beautiful landscapes, peaks, lakes and tarns etc. Because of the heavy influx of tourists and improper management practices the problem of solid waste in increasing at an alarming rate. This paper is an overview of the present ecotourism resources of the area and their future prospects for sustainable ecotourism

Preparation and Characterization of Metformin Hydrochloride — Compritol 888 ATO Solid Dispersion

Metformin hydrochloride (MET) sustained-release solid dispersions (SD) were prepared by the solvent evaporation and closed melt method, using compritol 888 ATO as the polymer with five different drug-carrier ratios. Characterization of solid dispersion was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD). The FTIR and UV studies suggested that no bond formation had occurred between the polymer and the drug. DSC and XPRD results ruled out any interaction or complex formation between the drug and the polymer. The formulated SD had acceptable physicochemical characters and SD with a 1 : 4 drug : Polymer ratio, which released the drug over an extended period of eight-to-ten hours. The data obtained from the in vitro release studies were fitted with various kinetic models and were found to follow the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation. The prepared SD showed good stability over the studied time period. The solvent evaporation method was found to be more helpful than the closed melt method, giving the sustained release action. The SD with a 1 : 4 ratio of drug to polymer, by the solvent evaporation method, was selected as the most effective candidate for the subsequent development of a well-timed, sustained-release dosage form of the drug