Showing papers by "University of Rajasthan published in 2017"

Challenges in QCD matter physics --The scientific programme of the Compressed Baryonic Matter experiment at FAIR

Abstract: Substantial experimental and theoretical efforts worldwide are devoted to explore the phase diagram of strongly interacting matter. At LHC and top RHIC energies, QCD matter is studied at very high temperatures and nearly vanishing net-baryon densities. There is evidence that a Quark-Gluon-Plasma (QGP) was created at experiments at RHIC and LHC. The transition from the QGP back to the hadron gas is found to be a smooth cross over. For larger net-baryon densities and lower temperatures, it is expected that the QCD phase diagram exhibits a rich structure, such as a first-order phase transition between hadronic and partonic matter which terminates in a critical point, or exotic phases like quarkyonic matter. The discovery of these landmarks would be a breakthrough in our understanding of the strong interaction and is therefore in the focus of various high-energy heavy-ion research programs. The Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR will play a unique role in the exploration of the QCD phase diagram in the region of high net-baryon densities, because it is designed to run at unprecedented interaction rates. High-rate operation is the key prerequisite for high-precision measurements of multi-differential observables and of rare diagnostic probes which are sensitive to the dense phase of the nuclear fireball. The goal of the CBM experiment at SIS100 ( $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=$ 2.7--4.9 GeV) is to discover fundamental properties of QCD matter: the phase structure at large baryon-chemical potentials ( $\mu_B > 500$ MeV), effects of chiral symmetry, and the equation of state at high density as it is expected to occur in the core of neutron stars. In this article, we review the motivation for and the physics programme of CBM, including activities before the start of data taking in 2024, in the context of the worldwide efforts to explore high-density QCD matter.

D* polarization as a probe to discriminate new physics in B --> D* tau nubar

Abstract: The confirmation of excess in ${R}_{{D}^{*}}$ at the LHCb is an indication of lepton flavor nonuniversality. Various different new physics operators and their coupling strengths, which provide a good fit to ${R}_{D}$, ${R}_{{D}^{*}}$, and ${q}^{2}$ spectra, were identified previously. In this work, we try to find angular observables in $\overline{B}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{*}\ensuremath{\tau}\overline{\ensuremath{ u}}$ which enable us to distinguish between these new physics operators. We find that the ${D}^{*}$ polarization fraction ${f}_{L}({q}^{2})$ is a good discriminant of scalar and tensor new physics operators. The change in $⟨{f}_{L}({q}^{2})⟩$, induced by scalar and tensor operators, is about 3 times larger than the expected uncertainty in the upcoming Belle measurement.

Measurement of D-meson production at mid-rapidity in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Abstract: The production cross sections for prompt charmed mesons $$\mathrm{D^0}$$ , $$\mathrm{D^+}$$ , $$\mathrm{D^{*+}}$$ and $$\mathrm{D_s^+}$$ were measured at mid-rapidity in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy $$\sqrt{s}=7~{\mathrm {TeV}}$$ with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). D mesons were reconstructed from their decays $$\mathrm{D}^0 \rightarrow \mathrm{K}^-\pi ^+$$ , $$\mathrm{D}^+\rightarrow \mathrm{K}^-\pi ^+\pi ^+$$ , $$\mathrm{D}^{*+} \rightarrow \mathrm{D}^0 \pi ^+$$ , $$\mathrm{D_s^{+}\rightarrow \phi \pi ^+\rightarrow K^-K^+\pi ^+}$$ , and their charge conjugates.With respect to previous measurements in the same rapidity region, the coverage in transverse momentum ( $$p_\mathrm{T}$$ ) is extended and the uncertainties are reduced by a factor of about two. The accuracy on the estimated total $$\mathrm{c}{\overline{\mathrm{c}}}$$ production cross section is likewise improved. The measured $$p_\mathrm{T}$$ -differential cross sections are compared with the results of three perturbative QCD calculations.

Low-δ18O Rhyolites From the Malani Igneous Suite: A Positive Test for South China and NW India Linkage in Rodinia

Abstract: The Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) in NW India represents one of the best preserved silicic large igneous provinces. Voluminous silicic lavas of the MIS erupted between ca. 780-750 Ma. Zircon grains from rhyolite and dacite lavas have oxygen isotopic compositions that include depleted (δ18O = 4.12 to -1.11‰) and enriched (δ18O = 8.23-5.12‰) signatures. The low-δ18O zircon grains have highly radiogenic Hf isotopic compositions (ƐHf(t)= +13.0 to +3.6), suggesting high temperature bulk cannibalization of upper level juvenile mafic crust as an essential mechanism to produce the low-δ18O felsic magma. Xenocrystic zircon grains in dacites have high δ18O and low ƐHf(t) values for magmas older than 800 Ma, reflecting a dramatic transition in tectono-thermal regime in NW India during 800-780 Ma. A synchronous transition also occurred in South China and Madagascar, suggesting a spatially linked geodynamic system. NW India and South China together with Madagascar and the Seychelles lay either along the periphery of Rodinia or outboards of the supercontinent with the age of convergent plate margin magmatism coinciding with breakup of the supercontinent.

Charged-particle multiplicities in proton–proton collisions at √s=0.9 to 8 TeV

Abstract: A detailed study of pseudorapidity densities and multiplicity distributions of primary charged particles produced in proton-proton collisions, at $\sqrt{s} =$ 0.9, 2.36, 2.76, 7 and 8 TeV, in the pseudorapidity range $|\eta|<2$, was carried out using the ALICE detector. Measurements were obtained for three event classes: inelastic, non-single diffractive and events with at least one charged particle in the pseudorapidity interval $|\eta|<1$. The use of an improved track-counting algorithm combined with ALICE's measurements of diffractive processes allows a higher precision compared to our previous publications. A KNO scaling study was performed in the pseudorapidity intervals $|\eta|<$ 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. The data are compared to other experimental results and to models as implemented in Monte Carlo event generators PHOJET and recent tunes of PYTHIA6, PYTHIA8 and EPOS.

Zircon U–Pb age and Hf isotope evidence for an Eoarchaean crustal remnant and episodic crustal reworking in response to supercontinent cycles in NW India

Abstract: Scattered T DM2 (3.8–3.2 Ga) for 3.28–2.99 Ga zircons from the Proterozoic Delhi Supergroup in northwestern India provide evidence for generation of juvenile crust and reworking of older crust. Depleted mantle-like e Hf( t ) values (+7.2 to +5.6) for 2.86–2.71 Ga zircons indicate that generation of juvenile crust occurred during this period and ceased at 2.71 Ga. Extensive magmatism at 2.66–2.34, 2.11–2.01 and 1.60–1.37 Ga was dominated by reworking of pre-existing crust with variable ages, and the last two periods were accompanied by formation of juvenile crust. An Eoarchaean age of 3671 ± 15 Ma represents the oldest age found in NW India. Zircons formed during supercontinent assembly have positive to negative e Hf( t ) values, suggesting involvement of juvenile and ancient crust, whereas largely positive e Hf( t ) values for zircons crystallized subsequent to supercontinent amalgamation suggest involvement of predominantly juvenile crust. Correlation of detrital age patterns and tectonomagmatic events indicates a conjugate position for northern Indian and the Cathaysia Block of South China during the assembly of Nuna. The South China Block remained juxtaposed to India until its separation from Pangaea in the late Palaeozoic. Supplementary material: Supplementary data, including detailed metadata related to laboratory and sample preparation methods, U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic compositions of the analyzed samples and standards are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3711847

Nickel accumulation and its effect on growth, physiological and biochemical parameters in millets and oats

Abstract: With the boom in industrialization, there is an increase in the level of heavy metals in the soil which drastically affect the growth and development of plants. Nickel is an essential micronutrient for plant growth and development, but elevated level of Ni causes stunted growth, chlorosis, nutrient imbalance, and alterations in the defense mechanism of plants in terms of accumulation of osmolytes or change in enzyme activities like guiacol peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Ni-induced toxic response was studied in seedlings of finger millet, pearl millet, and oats in terms of seedling growth, lipid peroxidation, total chlorophyll, proline content, and enzymatic activities. On the basis of germination and growth parameters of the seedling, finger millet was found to be the most tolerant. Nickel accumulation was markedly lower in the shoots as compared to the roots, which was the highest in finger millet and the lowest in shoots of oats. Plants treated with a high concentration of Ni showed significant reduction in chlorophyll and increase in proline content. Considerable difference in level of malondialdehyde (MDA) content and activity of antioxidative enzymes indicates generation of redox imbalance in plants due to Ni-induced stress. Elevated activities of POD and SOD were observed with high concentrations of Ni while CAT activity was found to be reduced. It was observed that finger millet has higher capability to maintain homeostasis by keeping the balance between accumulation and ROS scavenging system than pearl millet and oats. The data provide insight into the physiological and biochemical changes in plants adapted to survive in Ni-rich environment. This study will help in selecting the more suitable crop species to be grown on Ni-rich soils.

J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √sNN=5.02 TeV

Abstract: We report a precise measurement of the J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The J/ψ mesons are reconstructed at midrapidity (|y|<0.9) in the dielectron decay channel and at forward rapidity (2.5

Seaweed-Derived Nontoxic Functionalized Graphene Sheets as Sustainable Materials for the Efficient Removal of Fluoride from High Fluoride Containing Drinking Water

Abstract: Herein we present a sustainable and cost-effective approach for the preparation of functionalized graphene nanosheets (GNs) directly from seaweed and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). The seaweed granules remained after the recovery of juice from fresh brown seaweed, Sargassum tenerrimum, was utilized as a raw material and DESs generated by the complexation of choline chloride and metal salts were employed as solvent and catalyst for the large scale and facile production of metal oxide functionalized GNs. Moreover considering the biological application of such GNs, where nontoxic nature of substrates is desirable, we have also evaluated the cytotoxicity of the functionalized GNs (Fe3O4/Fe, SnO2/SnO/Sn, or ZnO/Zn-functionalized GNs), and most of them were found to be nontoxic against human lung carcinoma cells (A549). Thereafter, efficiency of these GNs was assessed for the removal of F– from fluoride contaminated groundwater (2.72–6.71 mg L–1) used for drinking purposes. After treatment with GNs, the concent...

Molecular characterization of nitrogen fixing microsymbionts from root nodules of Vachellia ( Acacia ) jacquemontii , a native legume from the Thar Desert of India

Abstract: To describe the structure of nodules of Vachellia (Acacia) jacquemontii, and to characterise the rhizobia that occupy them. Light and electron microscopy were used to analyse nodules. Rhizobia were characterised using their 16S rRNA, housekeeping and symbiosis-related gene sequences. Nodules of V. jacquemontii were typical of all other described mimosoid legumes. All 73 of the isolates were strains of Ensifer, and concatenated phylogenetic analysis of their housekeeping genes (rrs, recA, atpD, glnII and dnaK) suggested that they are novel, forming separate lineages close to E. saheli. The phylogenies of the symbiosis-essential genes nodA and nifH were inconsistent with the housekeeping phylogenies. The nodA sequences of most isolates were close to that of E. arboris HAMBI 1552T, but the nifH gene was found to be related to that of E. kostiensis HAMBI 1489T. All the tested Ensifer strains, except for AJ24, were found to be capable of nodulating other species of Vachellia as well as native Indian Mimosa and Prosopis spp. Stressful conditions caused by the alkaline soil of the Thar Desert have resulted in V. jacquemontii being nodulated by diverse and promiscuous Ensifer species that are capable of nodulating other native members of the tribe Mimoseae.

Determination of the event collision time with the ALICE detector at the LHC

Abstract: Particle identification is an important feature of the ALICE detector at the LHC. In particular, for particle identification via the time-of-flight technique, the precise determination of the event collision time represents an important ingredient of the quality of the measurement. In this paper, the different methods used for such a measurement in ALICE by means of the T0 and the TOF detectors are reviewed. Efficiencies, resolution and the improvement of the particle identification separation power of the methods used are presented for the different LHC colliding systems (pp, p-Pb and Pb-Pb) during the first period of data taking of LHC (RUN 1).

RAPD and ISSR marker assessment of genetic diversity in Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad: a unique source of germplasm highly adapted to drought and high-temperature stress

Abstract: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) shows high levels of variation in fruit color, fruit stripe pattern, seed coat color, and size. Thirty-eight accessions of C. colocynthis plants from different parts of semi-arid Rajasthan were collected and genetic diversity was assessed using random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Out of 65 RAPD decamer primers, 50 primers produced 549 scorable bands of which 318 were polymorphic. Polymorphic banding patterns with the number of amplified fragments varied from 5 (OPA-08 and OPF-9) to 19 (OPT-20) in the molecular size range of 150–6000 bp. Percent polymorphism ranged from 22.2% (OPA-09) to 83.3% (OPE-12) with 55.14% polymorphism. Out of the 20 ISSR primers screened, 13 primers produced 166 amplification products, of which 99 were polymorphic. The number of bands amplified per primer varied between 9 (UBC-807, 802) and 16 (UBC-803, 812) with average band size between 250 and 4000 bp. Percent polymorphism ranged from 45.4% (UBC-815) to 73.3% (UBC-814) with 65.05% polymorphism. Dendrogram constructed on the basis of RAPD + ISSR polymorphism separated the accessions into four distinct clusters at 72% variation with Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranging from minimum 0.64 to 0.95. The matrices for RAPD and ISSR were also compared using Mantel’s test and obtained correlation value (r = 0.7947). Discriminating power of RAPD and ISSR markers was assessed by calculating polymorphic information content, multiplex ratio, marker index, and resolving power. Approx. 50% RAPD and ISSR markers showed PIC value and heterozygosity (H) ≥ 0.50, indicating marker as informative. The primers that showed higher polymorphism had higher RP, MR, and MI values.

25-Year trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control in an Indian urban population: Jaipur Heart Watch.

Abstract: Objectives We evaluated trends in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in an Indian urban population over 25 years. Trends were projected to year 2030 to determine attainment of World Health Organization (WHO) Global Monitoring Framework targets. Methods Adult participants (n = 7440, men 4237, women 3203) enrolled in successive population based studies in Jaipur, India from years 1991 to 2015 were evaluated for hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control. The studies were performed in years 1991–93 (n = 2212), 1999–01 (n = 1123), 2003–04 (n = 458), 2006–07 (n = 1127), 2009–10 (n = 739) and 2012–15 (n = 1781). Descriptive statistics are reported. We used logarithmic forecasting to year 2030 and compared outcomes to WHO target of 25% lower prevalence and >50% control. Results The age-adjusted hypertension prevalence (%) among adults in successive studies increased from 29.5, 30.2, 36.5, 42.1, 34.4 to 36.1 (R2 = 0.41). Increasing trends were observed for hypertension awareness (13, 44, 49, 44, 49, 56; R2 = 0.63); treatment in all (9, 22, 38, 34, 41, 36; R2 = 0.68) and aware hypertensives (61, 66, 77, 79, 70, 64; R2 = 0.46); and control in all (2, 14, 13, 18, 21, 21; R2 = 0.82), aware (12, 33, 27, 46, 37, 37; R2 = 0.54) and treated (9, 20, 21, 48, 36, 49; R2 = 0.80) hypertensive participants. Projections to year 2030 show increases in prevalence to 44% (95% CI 43–45), awareness to 82% (81–83), treatment to 62% (61–63), and control to 36% (35–37). Conclusion Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates are increasing among urban populations in India. Better awareness is associated with greater control. The rates of increase are off-target for WHO Global Monitoring Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Measurement of deuteron spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √sNN = 2.76 TeV at the LHC

Abstract: The transverse momentum ( $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ ) spectra and elliptic flow coefficient ( $$v_{2}$$ ) of deuterons and anti-deuterons at mid-rapidity ( $$|y|<0.5$$ ) are measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC in Pb–Pb collisions at $$\sqrt{s_{\mathrm {NN}}}$$ = 2.76 TeV. The measurement of the $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ spectra of (anti-)deuterons is done up to 8 GeV $$/c$$ in 0–10% centrality class and up to 6 GeV $$/c$$ in 10–20% and 20–40% centrality classes. The $$v_{2}$$ is measured in the 0.8 < $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ $$<~$$ 5 GeV $$/c$$ interval and in six different centrality intervals (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50%) using the scalar product technique. Measured $$\pi $$ $$^{\pm }$$ , K $$^{\pm }$$ and p+ $$\overline{\mathrm {p}}$$ transverse-momentum spectra and $$v_{2}$$ are used to predict the deuteron $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ spectra and $$v_{2}$$ within the Blast-Wave model. The predictions are able to reproduce the $$v_{2}$$ coefficient in the measured $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ range and the transverse-momentum spectra for $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ > 1.8 GeV $$/c$$ within the experimental uncertainties. The measurement of the coalescence parameter $$B_2$$ is performed, showing a $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ dependence in contrast with the simplest coalescence model, which fails to reproduce also the measured $$v_{2}$$ coefficient. In addition, the coalescence parameter $$B_2$$ and the elliptic flow coefficient in the 20–40% centrality interval are compared with the AMPT model which is able, in its version without string melting, to reproduce the measured $$v_{2}$$ ( $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ ) and the $$B_2$$ ( $$p_\mathrm{T} $$ ) trend.

Production of Σ(1385)± and Ξ(1530)0 in p–Pb collisions at √sNN=5.02 TeV

Abstract: The transverse momentum distributions of the strange and double-strange hyperon resonances ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]) produced in p-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV were measured in the rapidity range [Formula: see text] for event classes corresponding to different charged-particle multiplicity densities, [Formula: see text]d[Formula: see text]/d[Formula: see text]. The mean transverse momentum values are presented as a function of [Formula: see text]d[Formula: see text]/d[Formula: see text], as well as a function of the particle masses and compared with previous results on hyperon production. The integrated yield ratios of excited to ground-state hyperons are constant as a function of [Formula: see text]d[Formula: see text]/d[Formula: see text]. The equivalent ratios to pions exhibit an increase with [Formula: see text]d[Formula: see text]/d[Formula: see text], depending on their strangeness content.

Synthesis, characterization and enhanced antimicrobial activity of reduced graphene oxide–zinc oxide nanocomposite

Abstract: In this work, we report a simple and facile one-pot chemical approach of the decoration of uniform zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on reduced graphene oxide (GO) and a study of its antimicrobial activity. The nanocomposite was fully characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). TEM and SEM images clearly indicated the presence of Graphene sheets decorated with uniformly sized zinc oxide nanoparticles. Further, as an application of rGO-ZnO nanocomposites, their superior antibacterial activity was demonstrated on the Escherichia coli MTCC40 bacterial strain, using the standard disk diffusion method. This clearly showed that rGO-ZnO nanocomposites exhibited more pronounced antibacterial activity than rGO alone. This feature was revealed to be due to increased biocompatibility of PEGylated rGO-ZnO nanocomposites. In conclusion, the as-synthesized nanocomposite showed excellent antibacterial activity and has great potential for biomedical application.

Charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range in proton-proton collisions at √s= 0.9, 7, and 8 TeV

Abstract: We present the charged-particle multiplicity distributions over a wide pseudorapidity range ( $-\,3.4<\eta <5.0$ ) for pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}= 0.9, 7$ , and 8 TeV at the LHC. Results are based on information from the Silicon Pixel Detector and the Forward Multiplicity Detector of ALICE, extending the pseudorapidity coverage of the earlier publications and the high-multiplicity reach. The measurements are compared to results from the CMS experiment and to PYTHIA, PHOJET and EPOS LHC event generators, as well as IP-Glasma calculations.

Energy dependence of forward-rapidity J/$\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ production in pp collisions at the LHC

Abstract: We present results on transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) and rapidity ($y$) differential production cross sections, mean transverse momentum and mean transverse momentum square of inclusive J/$\psi$ and $\psi(2S)$ at forward rapidity ($2.5 15$ GeV/$c$ the non-prompt contribution reaches up to 50% of the total charmonium yield.

Multi-constraints link stable multicast routing protocol in MANETs

Abstract: In MANETs, real-time multimedia applications make Quality of Service ( QoS ) support, a crucial issue regarding terms of increased throughput, reduced jitter, and available bandwidth. Most of the existing routing protocols focus on straight forward hop-count metric and are less adaptable to densely distributed and highly mobile networks. Therefore, Multicast communication with QoS in densely populated highly dynamic network an exciting research challenges. The objective of the present paper is to introduce a QoS aware routing metric that determines a reliable forwarding node based on Link Stability cost Function ( LSF ). A mesh of Multicast routes between Multicast source and destinations has been established using nodes with a maximum LSF . The principle theme underlying our protocol is optimum contention count that can be estimated with the help of received signal strength. The proposed protocol comprises the following stages:(1) Calculation of Link Stability Factor (2) Determination of maximum LSF value (3) Pruning adjacent nodes (4) Creation of a mesh consisting of more stable forwarding nodes (5) Creation of a mobile network in which no node remains isolated, as well as nodes, face lesser contention. Our proposed protocol has been demonstrated on an existing mesh-based Multicast routing protocols, ODMRP. Simulations are carried out on Exata/Cyber simulator, and obtained results are compared with that of ODMRP. The comparative analysis reveals that our protocol is more efficient in contrast to ODMRP, LSMRP, and MMRNS, regarding performance parameters like Packet Delivery Ratio ( PDR ), Average End-to-End Latency and Average Route Lifetime. Also, we have analyzed the impact of minimum and maximum contention count on PDR and delay.