Spectral and timing studies of 2S 1417-624 during a giant outburst

We present the results obtained from timing and spectral studies of the accretion powered X-ray pulsar 2S~1417-624 during a giant outburst in 2009 by using {\it Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE)} observations. X-ray pulsations were detected in the light curves obtained from all epochs of observations. The pulsar was found to be spinning-up during the outburst. The pulse profiles were observed to be strongly dependent on photon energy and luminosity. A double peaked profile at lower luminosity evolved into a triple peaked profile at the peak of the outburst which is further reverted back to a double peaked structure during the decay of the outburst. An anti-correlation was also observed between the pulse fraction and the source flux. The 3-70 keV energy spectrum of pulsar was well described with a power law modified with high energy cutoff model along with an iron fluorescence line at 6.4 keV. Based on the evolution of pulse profile, pulse fraction and spectral parameters across observed luminosity, we interpret our results in terms of changes in the pulsar beam configuration from sub-critical to super-critical regimes.Comment: 9 pages,7 figures; Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journal on July 2, 201

Determinants of Spiritual Tourism Consumption: A Hierarchical Approach

This paper aims to analyse the relationship between factors influencing the travel intentions of the spiritual tourist. The research design comprises three segments, i.e., identifying factors from the literature, conducting interviews with the academic experts and managers, and analysing the responses recorded. The Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique is used to determine the interlinkage between the factors and develop a hierarchical relationship. This paper identified twelve factors that influence the travel intention of spiritual tourists. The results indicate that the pro-tourism attitude of the management of religious monuments, presence of relaxation and recreational activities, historical and cultural heritage of a destination, infrastructure development, and accessibility of place significantly drive tourist motivation to undertake spiritual tourism. Also, destination cost, reference group influence, marketing of the destination, destination image, and stress and spirituality level of tourist influence intention to undertake spiritual tourism, but get influenced by tourist motivation drivers. The study’s value lies in clarifying the relationship between factors influencing the travel intentions of spiritual tourists, an area where limited research has been done

NuSTAR view of Be/X-ray binary pulsar 2S 1417-624 during 2018 giant outburst

We report the results obtained from a detailed timing and spectral studies of Be/X-ray binary pulsar 2S 1417-624 using data from Swift and NuSTAR observatories. The observations were carried out at the peak of a giant outburst of the pulsar in 2018. X-ray pulsations at 17.475 s were detected in the source light curves up to ~79 keV. The evolution of the pulse profiles with energy was found to be complex. A four-peaked profile at lower energies gradually evolved into a double-peak structure at higher energies. The pulsed fraction of the pulsar, calculated from the NuSTAR observation was found to follow an anti-correlation trend with luminosity as observed during previous giant X-ray outburst studies in 2009. The broadband spectrum of the pulsar is well described by a composite model consisting of a cutoff power law model modified with the interstellar absorption, a thermal blackbody component with a temperature of $\approx$1 keV and a Gaussian function for the 6.4 keV iron emission line. Though the pulsar was observed at the peak of the giant outburst, there was no signature of presence of any cyclotron line feature in the spectrum. The radius of the blackbody emitting region was estimated to be $\approx$2 km, suggesting that the most probable site of its origin is the stellar surface of the neutron star. Physical models were also explored to understand the emission geometry of the pulsar and are discussed in the paper.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA

Factors associated with induced second trimester abortion at a tertiary level hospital of Uttarakhand region: a 6-year retrospective study

Background: Despite the liberalization of the abortion services since the early 1970s in India, access to safe abortion services remains limited for the vast majority of Indian women particularly from rural areas. Second trimester abortions have different indications and associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to the first trimester abortions.Methods: This study was a retrospective study conducted from the January 2014 to December 2019 at obstetrics and genecology department of Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. All patients of 12 weeks to 20 weeks of confirmed gestational age were given medical method of second trimester abortion. Data was collected and analyzed regarding demographic features, gestational age, indications, and induction-abortion interval and post abortion contraceptive methods accepted by patient.Results: During this study period a total of 180 patients had second trimester abortion at study institute. Maximum number of patients 69 (38.3%) were of 25-30 years of age group and 161 (85%) patients were of Hindu religion. Major indication was failure of contraception (42.8%) and congenital anomalies in the fetus (45.6%). There was one case of failed medical abortion in which emergency hysterectomy was done for undiagnosed adherent placenta. All patients were compliant of using contraceptive methods after the abortion because of recent medical and mental stress and majority 82 (45.6%) of the patients preferred oral combined contraceptive pills.Conclusions: Apart from congenital anomalies rest all indications can be reduced if women in our country are empowered to control their fertility, get education to become more aware and provided with social security

In-Vitro Evaluation of Drug Release and Antioxidant Activity of Aloe Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles

Antioxidants play significant responsibility during the treatment of cancer and it’s adverse effects, because in the treatment of cancer by using chemotherapy, free radicals are generated and these free radicals accumulated in the body and cause damage, side effect (such as neurodegenerated disease, atherosclerosis, depression, leukemia, skin disease, diabetes etc.) and even death due to the biological consequence. So, antioxidant inhibits the generation of new and destroys previously present free radicals. A recent study was aimed for novel approach of herbal nanoparticles to get improved efficacy of the drug with fewer side effects. In-vitro Evaluation of Drug Release and Antioxidant Activity of Aloe Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles were includes in this research. Aloe has good antioxidant property, but in the form of nanoparticles formed with the help of chitosan polymer, it’s enhancing their stability, in-vitro release property. Chitosan is one of the best polymer for nanomedicine formulation because of their low toxicity and high compatibility. Six formulations of aloe loaded chitosan nanopaticles were prepared and evaluated as antioxidant study, in-vitro release and stability studies. Results have shown that the F6 was most stable, good release and high antioxidant property. So, it found that F6 was good formulation among all batches and these nanoparticles can be used as antioxidant agent during the treatment of cancer along with chemotherapeutic drugs for improve their effectiveness and reduce adverse effects. Keywords: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Herbal, Chitosan nanoparticles, Antioxidant

A curious case of the accretion-powered X-ray pulsar GX 1+4

We present detailed spectral and timing studies using a NuSTAR observation of GX 1+4 in October 2015 during an intermediate intensity state. The measured spin period of 176.778 s is found to be one of the highest values since its discovery. In contrast to a broad sinusoidal-like pulse profile, a peculiar sharp peak is observed in profiles below ~25 keV. The profiles at higher energies are found to be significantly phase-shifted compared to the soft X-ray profiles. Broadband energy spectra of GX 1+4, obtained from NuSTAR and Swift observations, are described with various continuum models. Among these, a two component model consisting of a bremsstrahlung and a blackbody component is found to best-fit the phase-averaged and phase-resolved spectra. Physical models are also used to investigate the emission mechanism in the pulsar, which allows us to estimate the magnetic field strength to be in $\sim$(5-10)$\times$10$^{12}$ G range. Phase-resolved spectroscopy of NuSTAR observation shows a strong blackbody emission component in a narrow pulse phase range. This component is interpreted as the origin of the peculiar peak in the pulse profiles below $\le$25 keV. The size of emitting region is calculated to be $\sim$400 m. The bremsstrahlung component is found to dominate in hard X-rays and explains the nature of simple profiles at high energies.Comment: 13 Pages, 7 Figues; Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journa