A Critique of Supernova Data Analysis in Cosmology

Observational astronomy has shown significant growth over the last decade and has made important contributions to cosmology. A major paradigm shift in cosmology was brought about by observations of Type Ia supernovae. The notion that the universe is accelerating has led to several theoretical challenges. Unfortunately, although high quality supernovae data-sets are being produced, their statistical analysis leaves much to be desired. Instead of using the data to directly test the model, several studies seem to concentrate on assuming the model to be correct and limiting themselves to estimating model parameters and internal errors. As shown here, the important purpose of testing a cosmological theory is thereby vitiated.Comment: v2: Revised, comments and references added; Published version [vailable at http://www.raa-journal.org/raa/index.php/raa/article/view/539

A first principles study of wurtzite-structure MnO

We present results of a density functional theory study of MnO in the wurtzite structure. Our motivation is provided by recent experiments reporting ferromagnetism in Mn-doped wurtzite structure ZnO. We find that wurtzite MnO a) is not strongly energetically disfavored as compared with the ground state rocksalt MnO, b) shows strong magnetostructural coupling and c) has a piezoelectric response that is larger than that of ZnO. These predictions augur well for the creation of ferromagnetic piezoelectric semiconductor based on Mn-doped ZnO

Grid sensitivity capability for large scale structures

The considerations and the resultant approach used to implement design sensitivity capability for grids into a large scale, general purpose finite element system (MSC/NASTRAN) are presented. The design variables are grid perturbations with a rather general linking capability. Moreover, shape and sizing variables may be linked together. The design is general enough to facilitate geometric modeling techniques for generating design variable linking schemes in an easy and straightforward manner. Test cases have been run and validated by comparison with the overall finite difference method. The linking of a design sensitivity capability for shape variables in MSC/NASTRAN with an optimizer would give designers a powerful, automated tool to carry out practical optimization design of real life, complicated structures

Indian Finfish Exports – An Analysis of Export Performance and Revealed Comparative Advantage

The export of finfish from India has been rising over the past few years and in 2006-07 it contributed almost 44 per cent of the total marine products exported from the country in quantity terms. However in value terms its contribution is only 16 per cent, indicating low unit value realization of the products. This paper has analysed the export performance and has studied the revealed comparative advantage of finfish export from India for the period 2001 to 2005. The finfish exports from India have not revealed any comparative advantage among the total marine products export in the period of study. The paper has suggested reviewing of the policy of finfish export, with a shift in emphasis to export of only high-value finfish and value-added low-value finfish.Agricultural and Food Policy,