Uniform Cycles in Earthquakes: A Statistical Study

In the evaluation of soil behavior due to earthquake motions, uniform intensity load cycles are frequently used instead of irregular-patterned loadings generated during actual earthquakes. A statistical conversion procedure is discussed in this paper based on results available in the literature. The actual irregular stress-time history produced by an earthquake can be represented by uniform amplitude cyclic stresses, although there may be considerable uncertainty associated with them. The statistical relationship proposed here between the earthquake magnitude and the equivalent uniform stress cycles is somewhat different from the relationship commonly used in practice. It is observed in this study that this discrepancy may not yield significant differences in estimating the soil strength in a liquefaction study. However, this variation should not be overlooked in other soil dynamics problems involving earthquake loading

Magnetic and the magnetocaloric properties of Ce1-xRxFe2 and Ce(Fe1-xMx)2 compounds

We have studied selected rare earth doped and transition metal doped CeFe2 compounds by examining their structural, magnetic and magneto-thermal properties. With substitution of Ce by 5 and 10% Gd and 10% Ho, the Curie temperature can be tuned to the range of 267-318 K. Localization of Ce 4f electronic state with rare earth substitutions is attributed for the enhancement of Curie temperature. On the other hand, with Ga and Al substitution at the Fe site, system undergoes paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition and then to an antiferromagnetic phase on cooling. The magnetocaloric effect across the transitions has been studied from both magnetization isotherms and heat capacity data. It is shown that by choosing the appropriate dopant and its concentration, the magnetocaloric effect around room temperature can be tuned.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

Magnetism in Gallium doped CeFe_2: The martensitic scenario

Ce(Fe_{1-x}Ga_x)_2 compounds with x = 0, 0.01, 0.025 and 0.05 have been investigated to unravel the effect of Ga on the magnetic state of CeFe_2. For the first time, we find that the dynamic antiferromagnetic phase present in CeFe_2 gets stabilized with Ga substitution. The hysteresis loops show that while the compounds with x = 0 and 0.01 show normal behavior, the other two show multiple magnetization steps across the antiferromagnetic-ferromagnetic transition region. The virgin curve is found to lie outside the envelope curve in these two compounds, similar to the observations made in Ru and Re substituted CeFe_2 compounds. Temperature, sweep rate and time dependences of the magnetization show that the compounds with x >=0.025 possess glassy behavior at low temperatures. Various results obtained reveal that these two compounds belong to the martensite family.Comment: 23 pages, 12 Figure

How should India reform its labour laws?

This paper examines the current policy debate around the reform of labour laws in India, which has been stimulated in part by the success of the “Gujarat model of economic development.” Gujarat’s deregulatory reforms have included changes to the legal regime governing employment terminations, which could form a basis for a change in national-level labour laws. Evidence linking labour law deregulation to growth, however, is weak, whether the focus is on India or the experience of other countries. Building labour market institutions is a long-term process which requires investment in state capacity for the management of risks associated with the transition to a formal economy.ESRCThis is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Sameeksha Trust via http://www.epw.in/journal/2015/12/special-articles/how-should-india-reform-its-labour-laws.htm