arXiv subjects

Ajay Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to Ajay Sharma.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of Wobbling and Precessing Jet Signatures in Gamma-Ray Emission from Blazar PKS 1424-41

We report a clear observational evidence for jet precession and nutation manifested in the gamma-ray emissions of the blazar PKS 1424$-$41. An analysis of $\sim$16 yr of \emph{Fermi}-LAT observations reveals three distinct and superimposed quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), with characteristic timescales of $\sim$5.26 yr, $\sim$0.96 yr and $\sim$1.3 yr. The longer timescale is detected with a local significance of $\sim 4.1\sigma$ ($99.9958\%$ confidence) and a global significance of $\sim 2.45\sigma$ ($98.5714\%$ confidence). The shorter timescales ($\sim 0.96$ yr and $\sim 1.3$ yr) both show local significances exceeding $3\sigma$. To interpret the origin of these modulations, we examine two physically motivated scenarios: Lense-Thirring precession of a misaligned accretion disk and orbital-driven jet precession in a binary supermassive black hole (BSBH) system. We model the gamma-ray variability using a compound framework that incorporates jet precession together with intrinsic jet rotation (nutation), which successfully reproduces the observed year-like QPOs. Our results indicate that the long-term, persistent $\sim$5.26 yr oscillation is most consistent with a BSBH origin, while the shorter year-like QPO modulation can be naturally attributed to rotation or wobbling of the jet axis. If PKS 1424$-$41 hosts a supermassive black hole binary, it represents a promising target for future space-borne gravitational-wave observatories such as the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), providing an independent probe of supermassive black hole binaries.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Design and Optimization of a Pole-less 0.2 T C-Type MRI Magnet

Low-field MRI is increasingly considered accessible for imaging owing to its lower cost, simpler infrastructure requirements, and potential for mobile and point-of-care deployment. A central challenge is achieving clinically useful field strength and homogeneity while keeping the magnet lightweight and maintaining patient accessibility. This work presents the design and magnetostatic simulation of a pole-less, 0.2 T, C-type bipolar magnet comprising two cylindrical N52 permanent magnets and four concentric rings that replace traditional pole pieces to enhance field homogeneity and reduce weight in bipolar magnet designs. Geometric parameters, including each magnet ring thickness, height, angular anchorage, spacing between magnets, and the magnets' vertical offset relative to the horizontal yokes, were manually investigated to improve magnetic field homogeneity in a 20 cm DSV. Simulations were performed in CST Studio Suite, yielding a peak field of 0.2 T, with a peak inhomogeneity of 1.43 mT across the 20 cm DSV and a total weight of 590 kg. A pole piece design with comparable dimensions, used as a benchmark for inhomogeneity and weight, was designed and simulated. It yielded a peak field of 0.15 T and a weight of 890 kg, with a 0.7 mT inhomogeneity over a 20 cm DSV. This study demonstrates the feasibility of replacing the traditional pole pieces with magnet rings to reduce weight while enhancing patient access with the C-magnet structure in yoked MRI systems.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2026

Migration and Educational Assortative Mating in India: How Geographic Mobility Shapes Marriage Markets

This paper examines how internal migration influences educational assortative mating patterns in India using Periodic Labour Force Survey data (2020-21). We analyze the association of migrant status and type of assortative mating, that is whether migrants are more likely to engage in homogamous (similar education) or heterogamous (different education) marriages compared to non-migrants. Results show migrants are significantly more likely to form educationally heterogamous marriages, with urban-to-urban migrants particularly prone to hypogamy (marrying higher-educated partners). These findings are validated using instrumental variables including crime rates, migrant networks, and unemployment rates. Family structure and marriage pool composition emerge as key mechanisms driving educational heterogamy among migrants, suggesting migration fundamentally alters marital formation preferences away from traditional educational homogamy patterns.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

A Hands-On Workshop for Constructing a Low-Field MRI System in Three Days

Access to Magnetic Resonance Imaging system assembly knowledge can be expanded by leveraging open-source hardware and software, simplified installation requirements, and collaborative training initiatives. To this end, we conducted a three-day workshop to construct an operational 0.27T MRI scanner. The workshop hosted 16 participants, including faculty, postdoctoral fellows, trainers, and students, who collaborated to build the scanner using open-source hardware and software components. Teams were designated to focus on various subsystems, including the magnet, passive shimming, radiofrequency (RF) coils, gradient coils, data acquisition, and reconstruction. Pre-workshop preparation involved simulation-based design processes and fabrication techniques, which incorporated configuring MaRCoS and PyPulseq libraries, CNC machining, and 3D printing. During the workshop, participants assembled an H-shaped magnet, which achieved a peak magnetic field strength of 0.269T. Passive shimming effectively reduced the field inhomogeneity from 3mT to 2mT. A 3 cm diameter RF solenoid was built and tuned to 11.4 MHz. The gradients exhibited less than 5% non-linearity in simulations and were fabricated by CNC machining copper plates. The assembled system was used to acquire a 2D spin echo of a water phantom. Following the workshop, the system was further optimized to scan relaxometry phantoms. A post-workshop survey was carried out, revealing over 87% satisfaction. The constructed scanner represents a valuable platform for educational initiatives, pulse sequence development, and preclinical research imaging efforts.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2025

International migration and dietary diversity of left-behind households: evidence from India

In this paper, we analyse the impact of international migration on the food consumption and dietary diversity of left-behind households. Using the Kerala migration survey 2011, we study whether households with emigrants (on account of international migration) have higher consumption expenditure and improved dietary diversity than their non-migrating counterparts. We use ordinary least square and instrumental variable approach to answer this question. The key findings are that: a) emigrant households have higher overall consumption expenditure as well as higher expenditure on food; b) we find that international migration leads to increase in the dietary diversity of left behind households. Further, we explore the effect on food sub-group expenditure for both rural and urban households. We find that emigrant households spend more on protein (milk, pulses and egg, fish and meat), at the same time there is higher spending on non-healthy food habits (processed and ready to eat food items) among them.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

Impact of Three-Point Rule Change on Competitive Balance in Football: A Synthetic Control Method Approach

Governing authorities in sports often make changes to rules and regulations to increase competitiveness. One such change was made by the English Football Association in 1981 when it changed the rule for awarding points in the domestic league from two points for a win to three points. This study aims to measure this rule change's impact on the domestic league's competitive balance using a quasi-experimental estimation design of a synthetic control method. The three-point rule change led to an increase in competitive balance in the English League. Further, we show no significant change in the number of goals scored per match.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

Heterogeneity among migrants, education-occupation mis-match and returns to education: Evidence from India

Using nationally representative data for India, this paper examines the incidence of education occupation mismatch and returns to education and EOM for internal migrants while considering the heterogeneity among them. In particular, this study considers heterogeneity arising because of the reason to migrate, demographic characteristics, spatial factors, migration experience, and type of migration. The analysis reveals that there exists variation in the incidence and returns to EOM depending on the reason to migrate, demographic characteristics, and spatial factors. The study highlights the need of focusing on EOM to increase the productivity benefits of migration. It also provides the framework for minimizing migrants' likelihood of being mismatched while maximizing their returns to education.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

Women's inheritance rights reforms and impact on women's empowerment: evidence from India

This paper explores the influence of inheritance rights on women' empowerment in India. We employ the quasi-natural experiment framework wherein; five states amended the Hindu Succession Act (HSA) from 1976 to 1994 before it was federally amended in 2005. Further, we apply difference-in-difference (DID) strategy and consider triangulation approach to identify women empowerment indicators namely: access to resources, agency, and outcomes to measure varying dimensions of empowerment. Using the India Human Development Survey (IHDS-I), our results indicate a positive impact on marriage choice, intimate partner violence, physical, and civil autonomy. However, negative impact on household autonomy and no significant on economic participation for women exposed to state amendments. Further, exploring the heterogeneities in terms of socio-economic status, location, level of patriarchy in a state, gender of the head of the household. Overall, the study highlights that the impact of inheritance law is not unfirm across different groups.

econ.GN↗

arXiv2025

Broadband Spectral Modeling of Blazars: Constraining the Lorentz Factor and Gamma-Ray Emission Site

We present a comprehensive temporal and spectral analysis of a few blazars using multi-wavelength observations. Rapid flux variations are quantified via the doubling/halving timescale method, revealing the shortest variability timescales of a few hours in $\gamma$-ray emissions. The broadband fractional variability is systematically computed and examined as a function of frequency, displaying a characteristic double-hump structure akin to the typical spectral energy distribution (SED) of blazars. To distinguish between different emission states, we utilize the Bayesian block algorithm, which effectively identifies distinct flux states for targeted spectral modeling. A one-zone leptonic emission framework is employed to model the broadband emission during these states. The minimum Doppler factors are estimated based on the shortest variability timescales observed in the $\gamma$-ray emissions. Under the external Compton scenario, we constrain the location of the gamma-ray emitting region and the Lorentz factor using three physical conditions: the upper limit on the jet collimation parameter, $\Gamma \theta < 1$; the upper limit on the synchrotron self-Compton contribution, $L_{\mathrm{SSC}} \lesssim L_X$; and the observational constraint on the cooling break energy, $E_{\mathrm{cool, obs}} \lesssim 100$ MeV.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Exploring Year-timescale Gamma-ray Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in Blazars: Evidence for Supermassive Binary Black Holes Scenario

A comprehensive analysis of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the gamma-ray emissions of blazars. Utilizing 15 years of Fermi-LAT observations of seven blazars in our sample, we identify both long-term and transient quasi-periodic oscillations in the gamma-ray light curves, with timescales ranging from a few months to years. These periodicities were detected using the Lomb-Scargle periodogram and REDFIT techniques. To robustly evaluate the statistical significance of the quasi-periodic signals observed in the Lomb-Scargle Periodograms, 30,000 synthetic $\gamma$-ray light curves were generated for each source using a stochastic model known as the Damped Random Walk (DRW) process. To investigate the physical origin of the observed gamma-ray QPOs with different timescales, we explore several plausible scenarios, with particular emphasis on a relativistic jet hosted by one of the black holes in a supermassive binary black hole system, jet precession, and helical motion of magnetized plasma blob within the jet. The $\gamma$-ray light curves exhibiting long-timescale quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are analyzed within the framework of a supermassive binary black hole (SMBBH) model, employing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach, allowing us to constrain key physical parameters such as the jet Lorentz factor ($\Gamma$) and the viewing angle between the observer's line of sight ($\psi$) relative to the spin axis of SMBH.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Searching for quasi periodic oscillations in optical and $\gamma$-ray emissions $\&$ black hole mass estimation of blazar ON 246

We report the detection of a potential quasi-periodic signal with a period of $\sim2$ years in the blazar ON 246, based on Fermi-LAT ($\gamma$-rays) and ASAS-SN (optical) observations spanning 11.5 years (MJD 55932-60081). We applied various techniques to investigate periodic signatures in the light curves, including the Lomb-Scargle periodogram (LSP), Weighted Wavelet Z-transform (WWZ), and REDFIT. The significance of the signals detected in LSP and WWZ was assessed using two independent approaches: Monte Carlo simulations and red noise modeling. Our analysis revealed a dominant peak in the $\gamma$-ray and optical light curves, with a significance level exceeding 3$\sigma$ in both LSP and WWZ, consistently persisting throughout the observation period. Additionally, the REDFIT analysis confirmed the presence of a quasi-periodic signal at $\sim$0.00134 $day^{-1}$ with a 99% confidence threshold. To explain the observed quasi-periodic variations in $\gamma$-ray and optical emissions, we explored various potential physical mechanisms. Our analysis suggests that the detected periodicity could originate from a supermassive binary black hole (SMBBH) system or the jet-induced orbital motion within such a system. Based on variability characteristics, we estimated the black hole mass of ON 246. The study suggests that the mass lies within the range of approximately $(0.142 - 8.22) \times 10^9 \ M_{\odot}$.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Study of Multi-Wavelength Variability, Emission Mechanism and Quasi-Periodic Oscillation for Transition Blazar S5 1803+784

This work present the results of a multi-epoch observational study of the blazar S5\,1803+784, carried out from 2019 to 2023. The analysis is based on simultaneous data obtained from the Swift/UVOT/XRT, ASAS-SN, and Fermi-LAT instruments. A historically high $\gamma$-ray flux observed for this source on march 2022 ($\mathrm{2.26\pm0.062)\times10^{-6}~phcm^{-2}s^{-1}}$. This study investigates the $\gamma$-ray emission from a blazar, revealing a dynamic light curve with four distinct flux states: quiescent and high-flux by using the Bayesian Blocks (BB) algorithm. A potential transient quasi-periodic signal with an oscillation timescale of $\sim$411 days was identified, showing a local significance level surpassing 99.7$\%$ from the Lomb-Scargle Periodogram (LSP) and Damped Random Walk (DRW) analysis and exceeds 99.5$\%$ from the Weighted Wavelet Z-Transform (WWZ) analysis. The observed QPO was confirmed through an autoregressive process (AR(1)), with a significance level exceeding 99$\%$, suggesting a potential physical mechanism for such oscillations involves a helical motion of a magnetic plasma blob within the relativistic jet. Log parabola modeling of the $\gamma$-ray spectrum revealed a photon index ($\alpha_\gamma$) variation of 1.65$\pm$0.41 to 2.48$\pm$0.09 with a steepening slope, potentially indicative of particle cooling, changes in radiative processes, or modifications in the physical parameters. The $\alpha_\gamma$ of 2.48$\pm$0.09 may hint at an evolutionary transition state from BL\,Lac to FSRQ. A comparative analysis of variability across different energy bands reveals that Optical/UV and GeV emissions display greater variability compared to X-rays. Broadband SED modeling shows that within a one-zone leptonic framework, the SSC model accurately reproduces flux states without external Compton contributions, highlighting magnetic fields crucial role.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Microquasars to AGNs: An uniform Jet variability

The long-term variability study over a range of black hole (BH) mass systems from the microquasars of stellar-mass black holes to the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) of supermassive black holes, in $\gamma$-rays offers new insights into the physics of relativistic jets. In this work, we investigate the $\gamma$-ray variability of 11 AGNs--including 7 blazars, 2 unclassified blazar candidates (BCUs), 1 radio galaxy (RG), and 1 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) as well as 2 microquasars. We apply a stochastic process known as the Damped Random Walk (DRW) to model the $\sim$15 years of Fermi-LAT light curves. The characteristic timescales observed for AGNs are comparable to those in the accretion disc. Interestingly, the timescales observed in the jet emission of microquasars are similar to those of AGNs, suggesting uniform jet properties across the black hole masses. The observed rest-frame timescales of AGNs overlap with both thermal and non-thermal timescales associated with the jet and accretion disk, respectively, suggesting a scaled relationship between $\tau_{DRW}^{rest}$ and black hole mass ($\rm{M_{BH}}$). While the timescales observed for microquasars deviate significantly from this relationship, nonetheless exhibit a scaled $\tau_{DRW}^{rest}-\rm{M_{BH}}$ relationship using $\gamma$-rays specifically. These findings offer new insights into the origin of jets and the processes driving the emission within them. Additionally, this study hints at a new perspective that the relativistic jets' properties or their production mechanisms may be independent of the black hole mass.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Detection of a Transient Quasi-periodic Oscillation in $\gamma$-Rays from Blazar PKS 2255-282

We conducted a comprehensive variability analysis of the blazar PKS 2255-282 using Fermi-LAT observations spanning over four years, from MJD 57783.5 to 59358.5. Our analysis revealed a transient quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) with a period of 93$\pm$2.6 days. We employed a variety of Fourier-based methods, including the Lomb-Scargle Periodogram (LSP) and Weighted Wavelet Z-Transform (WWZ), as well as time domain analysis techniques such as Seasonal and Non-Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models and the Stochastic modeling with Stochastically Driven Damped Harmonic Oscillator (SHO) models. Consistently, the QPO with a period of 93 days was detected across all methods used. The observed peak in LSP and time-averaged WWZ plots has a significance level of 4.06$\sigma$ and 3.96$\sigma$, respectively. To understand the source of flux modulations in the light curve, we explored various physical models. A plausible scenario involves the precession of the jet with a high Lorentz factor or the movement of a plasma blob along a helical trajectory within the relativistic jet.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Detection of gamma-ray quasi-periodic oscillations in non-blazar AGN PKS 0521-36

Quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) have been detected in many Fermi-detected bright blazars. In this letter, we report multiple QPOs detected in a non-blazar AGN PKS 0521-36 searched over the entire 15 years of Fermi-LAT data. QPOs are detected at 268 days, at 295 days, and at 806 days timescales with more than 3$\sigma$ significance. The QPO detected at 806 days happens to be the third harmonic of QPO at 268 days. The time scales are consistent in both Lomb-Scargle and Wavelet analysis. Furthermore, the Gaussian Process modeling of the light curve is performed with stochastically driven damped harmonic oscillator (SHO) and damped random walk (DRW) modeling to uncover the presence of QPOs. The constructed power spectral density (PSD) exhibits two QPOs, with observed timescales of approximately 283 days and 886 days. This is the first non-blazar AGN where the long-term QPO is detected. Earlier studies show this source has a weak beamed jet. The exact cause for these QPOs remains unclear. We also assembled the $\gamma$-ray QPO detected in various blazar and tested the QPO time scale dependent on the black hole mass. No significant correlation is found.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Probing the disc-jet coupling in S4 0954+65, PKS 0903-57, & 4C +01.02 with $\gamma$-rays

We present a comprehensive variability study on three blazars, S4 0954+65, PKS 0903-57, and 4C +01.02 covering a mass range of log(M/M$_{\odot}$) = 8--9, by using $\sim$15 years-long $\gamma$-ray light curves from \textit{Fermi}-LAT. The variability level is characterized by the fractional variability amplitude which is higher for $\gamma$-rays compared to optical/UV and X-rays emissions. A power spectral density (PSD) study and damped random walk (DRW) modeling are done to probe the characteristic timescale. The PSD is fitted with a single power-law (PL) and bending power-law models and the corresponding success fraction was estimated. In the case of PKS 0903-57, We observed a break in the $\gamma$-ray PSD at 256 days which is comparable to the viscous timescale in the accretion disc suggesting a possible disk-jet coupling. The non-thermal damping timescale from the DRW modeling is compared with the thermal damping timescale for AGNs including our three sources. Our sources lie on the best-fit of the $\mathrm{\tau^{rest}_{damping}} - M_{BH}$ plot derived for AGN suggesting a possible accretion disc-jet connection. If the jet's variability is linked to the disc's variability, we expect a log-normal flux distribution, often connected to the accretion disc's multiplicative processes. Our study observed a double log-normal flux distribution, possibly linked to long and short-term variability from the accretion disk and the jet. In summary, PSD and DRW modeling results for these three sources combined with blazars and AGNs studied in literature favor a disc-jet coupling scenario. However, more such studies are needed to refine this understanding.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Quasi-periodic oscillation detected in $\gamma$-rays in blazar PKS 0346-27

We present a variability study of the blazar PKS 0346-27 from December 2018 to January 2022 in its archival $\gamma$-ray observation by Fermi-LAT. We use the Lomb-Scargle periodogram and the weighted wavelet transform methods in order to detect the presence of periodicity/quasi-periodicity and localize this feature in time and frequency space. The significance of the periodicity feature has been estimated using the Monte-Carlo simulation approach. We have also determined the global significance of the periodicity to test the robustness of our claim. To explore the most probable scenario, we modeled the light curve with both a straight jet and a curved jet model. We detect a periodicity feature of $\sim$ 100 days duration for the entire period of observation with a statistical significance of $3\sigma$, which amounts to a 99.7\% confidence level. The global significance of this feature is found to be 96.96\%. Based on the Akaike Information Criteria, the most probable explanation is that the observed emission is enhanced due to the helical motion of a blob within a curved jet. The origin of this QPO is very likely a region of enhanced emission moving helically inside a curved jet. This work presents strong evidence for jet curvature in the source and an independent (albeit a little serendipitous) procedure to estimate the curvature in blazar jets.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Informality, Education-Occupation Mismatch, and Wages: Evidence from India

This article examines the intertwining relationship between informality and education-occupation mismatch and the consequent impact on wages. In particular, we discuss two issues: first, the relative importance of informality and education-occupation mismatch in determining wages, and second, the relevance of EOM for formal and informal workers. The analysis reveals that although both informality and EOM are significant determinants of wages, the former is more crucial for a developing country like India. Further, we find that EOM is one of the crucial determinants of wages for formal workers, but it is not critical for informal workers. The study highlights the need for considering the bifurcation of formal-informal workers to understand the complete dynamics of EOM, especially for developing countries where informality is predominant.

econ.GN↗