X-Ray Bursts from the Galactic X-Ray Transient Source GRS 1915+105

We have analyzed publicly available RXTE/PCAs archival data of GRS 1915+105 during its burst/flaring state. The burst cycle ranges from 30 to 1300 s. These bursts are different from the type I and type II classical bursts seen in Low Mass X-ray Binaries (LMXBs) in terms of their temporal and spectral properties. We have classified these bursts on the basis of properties observed during the quiescent (low flux) phase. The 2 - 10 Hz QPOs are present during the quiescent phase and disappear during the burst phase of all types of these X-ray bursts. The duration of the quiescent phase can be explained assuming an outflow from the post-shock regions and the catastrophic Compton cooling.Comment: 5 pages with two figures, 33rd COSPAR, Warsaw, Poland, July 16-22, 200

X-ray variability of GRS 1915+105 during the low-hard state observed with the Indian X-ray astronomy experiment (IXAE)

The galactic superluminal transient X-ray source GRS 1915+105 was observed with the pointed proportional counters (PPCs) onboard the Indian satellite IRS-P3 during 1996 July 23-27. We report here details of the behavior of this source during the relatively quiet and low luminosity state. Large intensity variations by a factor of 2 to 3, generally seen in black-hole candidates, are observed at a time scale of 100 ms to few seconds. No significant variation is detected over larger time scale of minute or more. The intensity variations are described as sum of shots in the light curve, and the number distribution of the shots are found to be exponential function of the fluence and duration of the shots. The cross correlation spectrum between 6-18 keV and 2-6 keV X-rays is found to have asymmetry signifying a delay of the hard X-rays by about 0.2 to 0.4 sec. This supports the idea of hard X-rays being generated by Compton up-scattering from high energy clouds near the source of soft X-rays. Very strong and narrow quasi periodic oscillations in the frequency range 0.62 to 0.82 Hz are observed. We discuss about a model which explains a gradual change in the QPO frequencies with corresponding changes in the mass accretion rate of the disk.Comment: 14 pages including 6 figures. To appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Serie

Differences in fungal immune recognition by monocytes and macrophages : N-mannan can be a shield or activator of immune recognition

Acknowledgements We thank Professor Gordon Brown for Fc-dectin-1 and Professor David Williams for glucan phosphate. We also thank Kevin MacKenzie, Debbie Wilkinson, Gillian Milne, and Lucy Wright at the University of Aberdeen Core Microscopy & Histology Facility.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Running spectral index from shooting-star moduli

We construct an inflationary model that is consistent with both large non-Gaussianity and a running spectral index. The scenario of modulated inflation suggests that modulated perturbation can induce the curvature perturbation with a large non-Gaussianity, even if the inflaton perturbation is negligible. Using this idea, we consider a multi-field extension of the modulated inflation scenario and examine the specific situation where different moduli are responsible for the perturbation at different scales. We suppose that the additional moduli (shooting-star moduli) is responsible for the curvature perturbation at the earlier inflationary epoch and it generates the fluctuation with n>1 spectral index at this scale. After a while, another moduli (or inflaton) takes the place and generates the perturbation with n<1. At the transition point the two fluctuations are comparable with each other. We show how the spectral index is affected by the transition induced by the shooting-star moduli.Comment: 14 pages, latex, accepted for publication in JHE

Non-Gaussian isocurvature perturbations in dark radiation

We study non-Gaussian properties of the isocurvature perturbations in the dark radiation, which consists of the active neutrinos and extra light species, if exist. We first derive expressions for the bispectra of primordial perturbations which are mixtures of curvature and dark radiation isocurvature perturbations. We also discuss CMB bispectra produced in our model and forecast CMB constraints on the nonlinearity parameters based on the Fisher matrix analysis. Some concrete particle physics motivated models are presented in which large isocurvature perturbations in extra light species and/or the neutrino density isocurvature perturbations as well as their non-Gaussianities may be generated. Thus detections of non-Gaussianity in the dark radiation isocurvature perturbation will give us an opportunity to identify the origin of extra light species and lepton asymmetry.Comment: 32 pages, 7 figure

On-farm diversity assessment and evaluation of finger millet genotypes in the mid-hills of Nepal

The objective of the study is to assess the phenotypic diversity among the finger millet genotypes and evaluate overall performance for the recommendation of genotypes to the farming community of mid hills of Nepal. The overall performance of 8 candidate genotypes selected from diversity block of 46 varieties in 2015, were assessed in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates under on-farm conditions in Lamjung district during 2016. Highly significant (p≤0.01) variability among the selected 8 genotypes for agro-morphological traits viz., plant height, number of fingers per head, grain yield, 1000 grain weight, straw yield, days to heading and maturity was revealed. Strong inter-correlation among grain yield, plant height, time to flowering and straw yield was detected. The traits viz., plant height, grain yield, straw yield, days to heading and days to maturity were the most important traits contributing to the overall variability and thus, provide options for selection

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Screening of Novel Hydrazide Ligand & It’s Transition Metal Complexes

Published ArticleDifferent transition metal complexes were synthesized from novel 3-bromo-2-[1-(4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3- yl)ethylidene]hydrazide ligand (H2L) and characterized by spectral techniques. The synthesized ligand was found to act mono as well as di deprotonated (OH, NH) manner and stoichiometry of the ligand to metal ions was confirmed to be 1:1 in case of complex using metal chloride salts, whereas 1:2 in case of metal(II) complexes using metal acetate(II) salt. Structures of metal complexes were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, TGA, XRD, elemental analysis and UV technique which revealed that Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) complexes were octahedral geometry and those of Cu(II), Zn(II) showed square planner and tetrahedral geometry around metal ion respectively. Furthermore H2L and its metal complexes were screened for antimicrobial activity which showed that ligand enhanced its biological activity after coordination with metal ions. In particular, Cd(II) and Mn(II) complexes exhibited excellent antifungal activity

Bianchi Type III Anisotropic Dark Energy Models with Constant Deceleration Parameter

The Bianchi type III dark energy models with constant deceleration parameter are investigated. The equation of state parameter $\omega$ is found to be time dependent and its existing range for this model is consistent with the recent observations of SN Ia data, SN Ia data (with CMBR anisotropy) and galaxy clustering statistics. The physical aspect of the dark energy models are discussed.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, Accepted version of IJT

Constraining Scale-Dependent Non-Gaussianity with Future Large-Scale Structure and the CMB

We forecast combined future constraints from the cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure on the models of primordial non-Gaussianity. We study the generalized local model of non-Gaussianity, where the parameter f_NL is promoted to a function of scale, and present the principal component analysis applicable to an arbitrary form of f_NL(k). We emphasize the complementarity between the CMB and LSS by using Planck, DES and BigBOSS surveys as examples, forecast constraints on the power-law f_NL(k) model, and introduce the figure of merit for measurements of scale-dependent non-Gaussianity.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables; v2: references update

The Intentional Use of Service Recovery Strategies to Influence Consumer Emotion, Cognition and Behaviour

Service recovery strategies have been identified as a critical factor in the success of. service organizations. This study develops a conceptual frame work to investigate how specific service recovery strategies influence the emotional, cognitive and negative behavioural responses of . consumers., as well as how emotion and cognition influence negative behavior. Understanding the impact of specific service recovery strategies will allow service providers' to more deliberately and intentionally engage in strategies that result in positive organizational outcomes. This study was conducted using a 2 x 2 between-subjects quasi-experimental design. The results suggest that service recovery has a significant impact on emotion, cognition and negative behavior. Similarly, satisfaction, negative emotion and positive emotion all influence negative behavior but distributive justice has no effect