Long Term UV Continuum and Line Variability in NGC 1275

In this paper, we present our results for the first time on long term emission-line and continuum variability studies using the International Ultraviolet Explorer’s final archive of UV spectroscopic data obtained in the wavelength region from 1150 Å to 3200 Å for NGC 1275, a dust dominated BL Lac characterized by the Rmax and F-variance parameter. The UV continuum flux variability analysis presented in this paper covers more number of emission-line free continuum windows in the UV region centred at 1710 Å, 1800 Å, 2625 Å, 2875 Å & 3025 Å. We have obtained a higher value of Fvar ~ 45 % at 1710 Å and a lower value of ~ 30 % at 1800 Å for the IUE's observational period of 1978 - 1989. The Lyα, C IV, C III] and Mg II emission lines have been observed as weaker line features on fewer occasions intermittently.

On the Use of B-Splines as Ritz Variational Basis Functions to Solve the Schrodinger Equation (TISE) for a constrained free Quantum Particle

B-Splines as piecewise adaptation of Bernstein polynomials (aka, B-polys) are widely used as Ritz variational basis functions in solving many problems in the fields of quantum mechanics and atomic physics. In this paper they are used to solve the 1-D stationary Schrodinger equation (TISE) for a free quantum particle subject to a fixed domain length by using the Python software SPLIPY with different sets of computation parameters. In every case it was found that over 60 percent of energy levels had excellent accuracy thereby proving that the use of B-spline collocation is a preferred method.

Bernstein Polynomials

Bernstein polynomials (aka, B-polys) have excellent properties allowing them to be used as basis functions in many applications of physics. In this paper, a brief tutorial description of their properties is given and then their use in obtaining B-polys, B-splines or Basis spline functions, Bezier curves and ODE solution curves, is computationally demonstrated. An example is also described showing their application to solving a fourth-order BVP relating to the bending at the free end of a cantilever.

Characterization of Multiphase Polypyrrole/Vanadium Oxide Nano Composites for a.c. Conductivity and Dielectric Properties

Vanadium oxide: Phase-1 and Phase-2 nano powers were synthesized from vanadium pentoxide in the presence of glucose using hydrothermal technique. The polypyrrole/vanadium oxide (PV P-1 and PV P-2) nano composites were synthesized with 15, 30, 45 and 60 weight percents of vanadium oxide: Phase-1 and Phase-2 in pyrrole, by the chemical polymerization (oxidation) method. The SEM micrographs of vanadium oxide: Phase-1 and Phase-2 nano powders have shown mixture of nano belts & rods and PV P-1 & PV P-2 nano composites indicate that the composites have cluster formation with almost spherical nature particles and form elongated chains at some places. Conductivity versus frequency plots shown that exponential increase for conductivity. The value of s increases to 1.13x10-3 S/cm for 15 wt. % of VO2 P-1 in polypyrrole & to 2.43x10-3 S/cm for 30 wt. % of VO2 P-2 in polypyrrole at 1 MHz.

On the Combined Role of Strong and Electroweak Interactions in Understanding Nuclear Binding Energy Scheme

An attempt is made toa model the atomic nucleus as a combination of bound and free or unbound nucleons. Due to strong interaction, bound nucleons help in increasing nuclear binding energy and due to electroweak interaction, free or unbound nucleons help in decreasing nuclear binding energy. In this context, with reference to proposed 4G model of final unification and strong interaction, recently we have developed a unified nuclear binding energy scheme with four simple terms, one energy coefficient of 10.1 MeV and two small numbers 0.0016 and 0.0019. In this paper, by eliminating the number 0.0019, we try to fine tune the estimation procedure of number of free or unbound nucleons pertaining to the second term with an energy coefficient of 11.9 MeV. Interesting observation is that, Z can be considered as a characteristic representation of range of number of bound isotopes of Z.

Performance of Aquatic Plant Species for Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals Contaminated Water

Heavy metals and organic pollutants are ubiquitous environmental pollutants affecting the quality of soil, water and air. Over the past 5 decades, many strategies have been developed for the remediation of polluted water. Use of aquatic plants to extract, sequester and/or detoxify pollutants and is a new and powerful technique for environmental clean up. Plants are ideal agents for soil and water remediation because of their unique genetic, biochemical and physiological properties. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential of free floating duck weed Spirodela polyrhiza to remove heavy metals from waste water and the biochemical effect of heavy metals on Spirodela polyrhiza. Approximately 93% of total heavy metal induced – toxicity appears resulting in the reduced activities of nitrate reductase, total chlorophyll and protein content of the plant. The results recommended the use of Spirodela polyrhiza to ameliorate the wastewater contaminated with heavy metals.

Non-Recombinant Mutagenesis of Bacillus Tropicus CUIMW1718 for Hyper Production of Alginase

Microbial extracellular enzymes occupied a prominent place in industrial sector due to their multifunctional ability. Extensive application of these, gap between production and demand is widening. In order to fulfil this gap, researchers focusing on various strain improvement methods such as recombinant and non-recombinant mutagenesis. In the present research work we made an attempt to screen high yielding industrial important extracellular alginase producing Bacillus tropicus CUIMW1718 strain by treating with inexpensive mutagens such as UV, EMS and EtBr. In this indigenous strain was subjected to Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, Ethidium bromide (EtBr), Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis, followed by cross mutation of Ultraviolet (UV) irradiated strain with Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) and Ethidium bromide (EtBr). High yielding mutant strains were selected based on zone of clearance.

Assessment of Neuropharmacological Profile of Ethanolic Extract of Lawsonia Inermis Flowers

On preliminary basis neuropharmacological profile of ethanolic extract of flowers of Lawsonia inermis was carried out. For assessing the activity of flowers on central nervous system locomotor activity using actophotometer, muscle relaxant activity using rotarod apparatus, pentobarbital-induced hypnosis and anticonvulsant activity by maximal electroshock test was performed. Ethanolic extract of flowers of Lawsonia inermis decreased the motor activity by 48.63 % and showed 49.03% noteworthy muscle relaxation along with 127.73% potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleeping time and 66.67% decreased the duration of tonic hind leg extension of seizures activity. The results conclude that the extract of flowers of Lawsonia inermis has significant central nervous system depressant activity. Further investigations are, however, necessary to explore mechanism(s) of action involved in these pharmacological activities.

Factors like Dilution and Mixing Influence Enzymatic Reactions

Enzyme-catalyzed reactions were influenced by many factors. The enzyme reacts with the substrate and converts it into products. Enzymes are influenced by temperature, pH, enzyme concentration, and substrate concentration. This paper evaluates the hypothesis of factors that may influence enzyme activity. Two more factors that affects enzyme activity are dilution and mixing. In enzyme-substrate reactions, the small amount of dilution and mixing will not affect the enzyme activity. Dilution and mixing do not slowdowns the enzyme reaction but it enhances the enzymatic reaction up to a certain limit. Increase in dilution results in less interaction of enzyme substrate, which causes a decrease in the rate of reactions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to shows that, factors like mixing and dilution also affect enzyme and substrate reactions.