Analyzing flow anisotropies with excursion sets in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We show that flow anisotropies in relativistic heavy-ion collisions can be analyzed using a certain technique of shape analysis of excursion sets recently proposed by us for CMBR fluctuations to investigate anisotropic expansion history of the universe. The technique analyzes shapes (sizes) of patches above (below) certain threshold value for transverse energy/particle number (the excursion sets) as a function of the azimuthal angle and rapidity. Modeling flow by imparting extra anisotropic momentum to the momentum distribution of particles from HIJING, we compare the resulting distributions for excursion sets at two different azimuthal angles. Angles with maximum difference in the two distributions identify the event plane, and the magnitude of difference in the two distributions relates to the magnitude of momentum anisotropy, i.e. elliptic flow.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Acceptable Risk

Perhaps the topic of acceptable risk never had a sexier and more succinct introduction than the one Edward Norton, playing an automobile company executive, gave it in Fight Club: “Take the number of vehicles in the field (A), multiply it by the probable rate of failure (B), and multiply the result by the average out of court settlement (C). A*B*C=X. If X is less than the cost of the recall, we don’t do one.” Of course, this dystopic scene also gets to the heart of the issue in another way: acceptable risk deals with mathematical calculations about the value of life, injury, and emotional wreckage, making calculation a difficult matter ethically, politically, and economically. This entry will explore the history of this idea, focusing on its development alongside statistics into its wide importance today

Effects of quarks on the formation and evolution of Z(3) walls and strings in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We investigate the effects of explicit breaking of Z(3) symmetry due to the presence of dynamical quarks on the formation and evolution of Z(3) walls and associated QGP strings within Polyakov loop model. We carry out numerical simulations of the first order quark-hadron phase transition via bubble nucleation (which may be appropriate, for example, at finite baryon chemical potential) in the context of relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments. Using appropriate shifting of the order parameter in the Polyakov loop effective potential, we calculate the bubble profiles using bounce technique, for the true vacuum as well as for the metastable Z(3) vacua, and estimate the associated nucleation probabilities. These different bubbles are then nucleated and evolved and resulting formation and dynamics of Z(3) walls and QGP strings is studied. We discuss various implications of the existence of these Z(3) interfaces and the QGP strings, especially in view of the effects of the explicit breaking of the Z(3) symmetry on the formation and dynamical evolution of these objects.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, PDFLate

Role of Viruddha Ahara towards Skin and Allergic Disorders; an Ayurveda Review

Viruddha Ahara is Ayurveda view of food incompatibility; Viruddha Ahara referred several types of food incompatibility including food–food interactions and food processing interactions, etc. Diet and its combinations that affects metabolism of tissue, inhibits process of tissue formation, alter physiological process of body and having opposite property, etc. are termed as Viruddha Ahara or incompatible food. The inappropriate quantity and quality of food and improper timing of meal, etc. also comes under the heading of Viruddha Ahara. With respect to concept of Viruddha Ahara Ayurveda has described different food incompatibilities i.e.; Samskar Viruddha, Samyoga Viruddha and Veerya Viruddha, etc. Viruddha ahara can triggers pathogenesis of several diseases including Visarpa, intoxication, Shukra Dhatu Dushti, rhinitis, infertility, Kustha roga and allergic disorders, etc. Present article explored role of Viruddha ahara in skin and allergic disorders

An Ayurvedic approach to the management of Shushkakshipaka w.s.r. to Dry Eye Syndrome - A Case Report

Introduction: Sushkakshipaka is one among the Sarvagata, Sadhya Netrarogas described in in classical Ayurveda texts. A feature of Shushkakshipaka includes hard and dry eye lids, found drooping; blurred vision and difficulty to open the eyes with irritation and foreign body sensation. The Lakshanas of Shushkakshipaka can be equated with the signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome. Dry eye is a multifactorial ocular surface disease characterized by symptoms of discomfort, irritation, and visual disturbance. Here the patient presenting with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease was treated according to the treatment principles of Shushkakshipaka as explained in Ayurvedic classics. Erandamoola Kheera Seka and Shatavari Ghrita was selected for the treatment and the same has been presented in the article. Materials and Methods: The subject who approached Shalakya Tantra OPD of Sri Jayachamarajendra Institute of Indian Medicine Hospital, Bengaluru, with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease was thoroughly examined and systematically reviewed. Treatment was planned based on the Chikitsasutra of Shushkakshipaka. Result: The patient showed considerable improvement subjectively and objectively. Improvement in Schirmer’s reading, visual acuity improvement was observed in both eyes. Conclusion: The maintenance of stability of tear film is the main challenge in this pandemic time due to the increased screen time. This can be achieved up to an extend by proper administration of treatment techniques described in classical Ayurveda texts along with Pathyasevana

Increase in Ethanol Yield via Elimination of Lactate Production in an Ethanol-Tolerant Mutant of Clostridium Thermocellum

Large-scale production of lignocellulosic biofuel is a potential solution to sustainably meet global energy needs. One-step consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) is a potentially advantageous approach for the production of biofuels, but requires an organism capable of hydrolyzing biomass to sugars and fermenting the sugars to ethanol at commercially viable titers and yields. Clostridium thermocellum, a thermophilic anaerobe, can ferment cellulosic biomass to ethanol and organic acids, but low yield, low titer, and ethanol sensitivity remain barriers to industrial production. Here, we deleted the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase gene in ethanol tolerant strain of C. thermocellum adhE*(EA) in order to allow use of previously developed gene deletion tools, then deleted lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) to redirect carbon flux towards ethanol. Upon deletion of ldh, the adhE*(EA) Δldh strain produced 30% more ethanol than wild type on minimal medium. The adhE*(EA) Δldh strain retained tolerance to 5% v/v ethanol, resulting in an ethanol tolerant platform strain of C. thermocellum for future metabolic engineering efforts

Intrinsic Self-Healing Epoxies in Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs) for Aerospace Applications

This article reviews some of the intrinsic self-healing epoxy materials that have been investigated throughout the course of the last twenty years. Emphasis is placed on those formulations suitable for the design of high-performance composites to be employed in the aerospace field. A brief introduction is given on the advantages of intrinsic self-healing polymers over extrinsic counterparts and of epoxies over other thermosetting systems. After a general description of the testing procedures adopted for the evaluation of the healing efficiency and the required features for a smooth implementation of such materials in the industry, different self-healing mechanisms, arising from either physical or chemical interactions, are detailed. The presented formulations are critically reviewed, comparing major strengths and weaknesses of their healing mechanisms, underlining the inherent structural polymer properties that may affect the healing phenomena. As many self-healing chemistries already provide the fundamental aspects for recyclability and reprocessability of thermosets, which have been historically thought as a critical issue, perspective trends of a circular economy for self-healing polymers are discussed along with their possible advances and challenges. This may open up the opportunity for a totally reconfigured landscape in composite manufacturing, with the net benefits of overall cost reduction and less waste. Some general drawbacks are also laid out along with some potential countermeasures to overcome or limit their impact. Finally, present and future applications in the aviation and space fields are portrayed