Initial-value problems and singularities in general relativity

Linearized solution of Datta in a non-symmetric and isentropic motion of a perfect fluid is studied by dealing with a Cauchy problem in co-moving coordinates in the framework of general relativity. The problem of singularities is discussed from the standpoint of a local observer both for rotating and non-rotating fluids. It is shown that, whatever the distribution of matter, a singularity which occurred in the past in both the rotating and non-rotating parts of the universe must occur again later after some finite proper time, if the universe is closed. A modification is incorporated in Penrose’s theorem by explicitly exhibiting that the universe defined by Penrose can possess a Cauchy hypersurface.     

Surfactant-promoted enhancement in bioremediation of hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium by naturally occurring wall algae

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The discharge of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] has resulted in significant pollution because of the presence of Cr(VI) oxyanions. They are highly water-soluble,...     

Study on the structure functions of electrons and the energy flow in the soft component of cosmic-ray extensive air showers

Summary Cosmic-ray air shower structure functions for the distance dependence of electron density in cosmic-ray air showers in the size range 10⁴⋎10⁸ have been computed for their intercomparison and comparison with Monte Carlo simulation results and measurements from recent experiments. The analysis has yielded the present status of theoretical structure functionsvis à vis experimental results and Monte Carlo simulation distributions. The effect of core location error on the lateral distribution of electrons is also discussed from the point of view of different theoretical and experimental results. The energy flow in the soft component of air showers of size ∼4·10⁵ has been evaluated within a ring of radius 10m about the axis of the showers.     

Spectroscopy of 62Ni with the 61Ni(d, p) reaction

Differential cross sections, vector and tensor analysing powers have been measured for the ⁶¹Ni(d, p) reaction at a deuteron energy of 12.3 MeV. Most of the 30 transitions observed below 8.5 MeV excitation are dominated by a single j-value, which was determined from behaviour of the analysing power data. For a number of transitions it was possible to make unambiguous j-assignment relying on the established j-dependence of the T₂₂ tensor analysing power. The deduced spectroscopic factors indicate that the full strength of neutron transfer to the ($\text{2p, 1f}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$) and $\text{1}\text{g}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbits was found and seven $\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ transitions were located above 5.3 MeV. The separated strengths of the $\text{3}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{,}\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{and}\text{5}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$ transitions are compared with shell-model calculations for the low-lying states of ⁶²Ni.     

Tensor analysing powers of (d,p) reactions on 28Si, 67Zn, 90Zr and 208Pb at 12.3 MeV

The tensor analysing powers T₂₀ and T₂₂ of(d, p) reactions leading to several states of the final nuclei ²⁹Si, ⁶⁸Zn, ⁹¹Zr and ²⁰⁹Pb were measured at 12.3 MeV deuteron beam energy. The measured tensor analysing powers together with the vector analysing power and cross-section data are compared with DWBA calculations with and without the deuteron D-state. The D-state effects and j-dependence of the tensor analysing powers are discussed. The spin transfers involved in populating the 1.08, 1.88 and 3.30 MeV states in ⁶⁸Zn in the ⁶⁷Zn(d, p)⁶⁸Zn reaction are deduced to be predominantly $\text{1}\text{2}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$. This implies an assignment for the 3.287 MeV level of ⁶⁸Zn of J^π = 2⁺.     

Thin film flow over a non-linear stretching sheet in presence of uniform transverse magnetic field

A thin viscous liquid film flow is developed over a stretching sheet under different non-linear stretching velocities in presence of uniform transverse magnetic field. Evolution equation for the film thickness is derived using long-wave approximation of thin liquid film and is solved numerically by using the Newton–Kantorovich method. It is observed that all types of stretching produces film thinning, but non-monotonic stretching produces faster thinning at small distance from the origin. Effect of the transverse magnetic field is to slow down the film thinning process. Observed flow behavior is explained physically.     

Disordered bcc γ-phase to δ-phase transformation in Zr-rich U-Zr alloy

The transformation mechanism of hexagonal delta phase from the disordered bcc gamma phase has not been reported before in the Zr-rich U–Zr alloy system. With the help of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM analyses it was shown that the gamma to delta conversion takes place by the lattice collapse mechanism of omega transformation. It was also ascertained that a higher aging temperature or time promotes the growth of all four variants of the delta phase within a parent gamma grain. In addition, ab initio electronic structure calculations showed that the bcc to hexagonal transformation, involving partial ordering of the parent bcc phase followed by (111) plane collapse, is energetically favorable.