Banaras Hindu University

About: Banaras Hindu University is a education organization based out in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dielectric. The organization has 11858 authors who have published 23917 publications receiving 464677 citations. The organization is also known as: Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalay & Benares Hindu University.

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged pion pairs in Au + au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV

Abstract: Bose-Einstein correlations of identically charged pion pairs were measured by the PHENIX experiment at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at roots(NN)=200 GeV. The Bertsch-Pratt radius parameters were determined as a function of the transverse momentum of the pair and as a function of the centrality of the collision. Using the standard core-halo partial Coulomb fits, and a new parametrization which constrains the Coulomb fraction as determined from the unlike-sign pion correlation, the ratio R-out/R-side is within 0.8-1.1 for 0.25 similar to0.45 GeV/c is approximately constant at unity as a function of centrality.

Electrophoretically deposited reduced graphene oxide platform for food toxin detection

Abstract: Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) due to its excellent electrochemical properties and large surface area, has recently aroused much interest for electrochemical biosensing application. Here, the chemically active RGO has been synthesized and deposited onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate by the electrophoretic deposition technique. This novel platform has been utilized for covalent attachment of the monoclonal antibodies of aflatoxin B1 (anti-AFB1) for food toxin (AFB1) detection. The electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV-visible studies reveal successful synthesis of reduced graphene oxide while the XPS and FTIR studies suggest its carboxylic functionalized nature. The electrochemical sensing results of the anti-AFB1/RGO/ITO based immunoelectrode obtained as a function of aflatoxin concentration show high sensitivity (68 μA ng−1 mL cm−2) and improved detection limit (0.12 ng mL−1). The association constant (ka) for antigen–antibody interaction obtained as 5 × 10−4 ng mL−1 indicates high affinity of antibodies toward the antigen (AFB1).

Groundwater quality in the lower Varuna River basin, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract: The lower Varuna River basin in Varanasi district situated in the central Ganga plain is a highly productive agricultural area, and is also one of the fast growing urban areas in India. The agricultural and urbanization activities have a lot of impact on the groundwater quality of the study area. The river basin is underlain by Quaternary alluvial sediments consisting of clay, silt, sand and gravel of various grades. The hydrogeochemical study was undertaken by randomly collecting 75 groundwater samples from dug wells and hand pumps covering the entire basin in order to understand the sources of dissolved ions, and to assess the chemical quality of the groundwater through analysis of major ions. Based on the total dissolved solids, two groundwater samples are considered unsuitable for drinking purpose, but all samples are useful for irrigation. Graphical treatment of major ion chemistry by Piper diagram helps in identifying hydro-geochemical facies of groundwaters and the dominant hydrochemical facies is Ca-Mg-HCO3 with appreciable percentage of the water having mixed facies. As per Wilcox’s diagram and US Salinity laboratory classification, most of the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation except two samples (No’s 30 and 68) which are unsuitable due to the presence of high salinity and medium sodium hazard. Irrigation waters classified based on residual sodium carbonate, have revealed that all groundwaters are in general safe for irrigation except one sample (No. 27), which needs treatment before use. Permeability index indicates that the groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation purpose. Although the general quality of groundwater of the lower Varuna River basin is suitable for irrigation purpose, fifty seven percent of the samples are found having nitrate content more than permissible limit (>45 mg/l) which is not good for human consumption. Application of N-Fertilizers on agricultural land as crop nutrients along the Varuna River course may be responsible for nitrate pollution in the groundwater due to leaching by applied irrigation water. The other potential sources of high nitrate concentration in extreme northern, southern and southwestern parts of study area are poor sewerage and drainage facilities, leakage of human excreta from very old septic tanks, and sanitary landfills. The high fluoride contamination (>1.5 mg/l) in some of the samples may be due to the dissolution of micaceous content in the alluvium. Nitrate and fluoride contamination of groundwater is a serious problem for its domestic use. Hence an immediate protective measure must be put into action in the study area.