Temperature dependent magnetic ordering and electrical transport behavior of nano zinc ferrite from 20 to 800 K

The nano ZnFe2O4 compound was prepared by eco-friendly hydrothermal method. The characterization of the sample for its structure, morphology and composition were done by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta surface profiler and UV-Visible spectroscopy studies. The PXRD measurement reveals that the compound shows spinel cubic phase belong Fd (3) over barm (227) space group. Morphology of the compound from SEM and surface profile shows nearly spherical agglomerated particles with well defined grains and grain boundaries. The material shows the semiconducting behavior with E-g of 2.3 eV at room temperature (RT). The variation in the magnetic ordering was observed for wide range of temperature. The compound behaves like a soft magnetic material with ferrimagnetic at various temperatures except at RT. Both magnetic and EPR studies supports the superparamagnetic behavior of the the sample. The DC conductivity, dielectric and AC conductivity behavior of the 1000 degrees C pellets sintered for 2 h shows good frequency dependent transport properties. The present study facilitate in selecting the suitable materials for the nanoelectronics and spintronic applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electronic structure of Nd1-xYxMnO3 from Mn K edge absorption spectroscopy and DFT methods

The electronic structure of Nd1-xYxMnO3 (x-0-0.5) is studied using x-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Mn K-edge along with the DFT-based LSDA+U and real space cluster calculations. The main edge of the spectra does not show any variation with doping. The pre-edge shows two distinct features which appear well-separated with doping. The intensity of the pre-edge decreases with doping. The theoretical XANES were calculated using real space multiple scattering methods which reproduces the entire experimental spectra at the main edge as well as the pre-edge. Density functional theory calculations are used to obtain the Mn 4p, Mn 3d and O 2p density of states. For x=0, the site-projected density of states at 1.7 eV above Fermi energy shows a singular peak of unoccupied e(g) (spin-up) states which is hybridized Mn 4p and O 2p states. For x=0.5, this feature develops at a higher energy and is highly delocalized and overlaps with the 3d spin-down states which changes the pre-edge intensity. The Mn 4p DOS for both compositions, show considerable difference between the individual p(x), p(y) and p(z)), states. For x=0.5, there is a considerable change in the 4p orbital polarization suggesting changes in the Jahn-Teller effect with doping. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On Precoding for Constant K-User MIMO Gaussian Interference Channel With Finite Constellation Inputs

This paper considers linear precoding for the constant channel-coefficient K-user MIMO Gaussian interference channel (MIMO GIC) where each transmitter-i (Tx-i) requires the sending of d(i) independent complex symbols per channel use that take values from fixed finite constellations with uniform distribution to receiver-i (Rx-i) for i = 1, 2, ..., K. We define the maximum rate achieved by Tx-i using any linear precoder as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) tends to infinity when the interference channel coefficients are zero to be the constellation constrained saturation capacity (CCSC) for Tx-i. We derive a high-SNR approximation for the rate achieved by Tx-i when interference is treated as noise and this rate is given by the mutual information between Tx-i and Rx-i, denoted as I(X) under bar (i); (Y) under bar (i)]. A set of necessary and sufficient conditions on the precoders under which I(X) under bar (i); (Y) under bar (i)] tends to CCSC for Tx-i is derived. Interestingly, the precoders designed for interference alignment (IA) satisfy these necessary and sufficient conditions. Furthermore, we propose gradient-ascentbased algorithms to optimize the sum rate achieved by precoding with finite constellation inputs and treating interference as noise. A simulation study using the proposed algorithms for a three-user MIMO GIC with two antennas at each node with d(i) = 1 for all i and with BPSK and QPSK inputs shows more than 0.1-b/s/Hz gain in the ergodic sum rate over that yielded by precoders obtained from some known IA algorithms at moderate SNRs.

Studies of Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbons Down to 4.5 K for the Development of Cryosorption Pumps for Fusion Systems

Cryosorption pump is the only possible device to pump helium, hydrogen and its isotopes in fusion environment, such as high magnetic field and high plasma temperatures. Activated carbons are known to be the most suitable adsorbent in the development of cryosorption pumps. For this purpose, the data of adsorption characteristics of activated carbons in the temperature range 4.5 K to 77 K are needed, but are not available in the literature. For obtaining the above data, a commercial micro pore analyzer operating at 77 K has been integrated with a two stage GM cryocooler, which enables the cooling of the sample temperature down to 4.5 K. A heat switch mounted between the second stage cold head and the sample chamber helps to raise the sample chamber temperature to 77 K without affecting the performance of the cryocooler. The detailed description of this system is presented elsewhere. This paper presents the results of experimental studies of adsorption isotherms measured on different types of activated carbons in the form of granules, globules, flake knitted and non-woven types in the temperature range 4.5 K to 10 K using Helium gas as the adsorbate. The above results are analyzed to obtain the pore size distributions and surface areas of the activated carbons. The effect of adhesive used for bonding the activated carbons to the panels is also studied. These results will be useful to arrive at the right choice of activated carbon to be used for the development of cryosorption pumps.

Local disorder investigation in NiS2-xSex using Raman and Ni K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopies

We report on Raman and Ni K-edge x-ray absorption investigations of a NiS2-xSex (with x = 0.00, 0.50/0.55, 0.60, and 1.20) pyrite family. The Ni K-edge absorption edge shows a systematic shift going from an insulating phase (x = 0.00 and 0.50) to a metallic phase (x = 0.60 and 1.20). The near-edge absorption features show a clear evolution with Se doping. The extended x-ray absorption fine structure data reveal the evolution of the local structure with Se doping which mainly governs the local disorder. We also describe the decomposition of the NiS2-xSex Raman spectra and investigate the weights of various phonon modes using Gaussian and Lorentzian profiles. The effectiveness of the fitting models in describing the data is evaluated by means of Bayes factor estimation. The Raman analysis clearly demonstrates the disorder effects due to Se alloying in describing the phonon spectra of NiS2-xSex pyrites.

K-plane regression

In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for piecewise linear regression which can learn continuous as well as discontinuous piecewise linear functions. The main idea is to repeatedly partition the data and learn a linear model in each partition. The proposed algorithm is similar in spirit to k-means clustering algorithm. We show that our algorithm can also be viewed as a special case of an EM algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation under a reasonable probability model. We empirically demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by comparing its performance with that of the state of art algorithms on various datasets. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing impact of material transition and thermal comfort models on embodied and operational energy in vernacular dwellings (India)

Vernacular dwellings are well-suited climate-responsive designs that adopt local materials and skills to support comfortable indoor environments in response to local climatic conditions. These naturally-ventilated passive dwellings have enabled civilizations to sustain even in extreme climatic conditions. The design and physiological resilience of the inhabitants have coevolved to be attuned to local climatic and environmental conditions. Such adaptations have perplexed modern theories in human thermal-comfort that have evolved in the era of electricity and air-conditioned buildings. Vernacular local building elements like rubble walls and mud roofs are given way to burnt brick walls and reinforced cement concrete tin roofs. Over 60% of Indian population is rural, and implications of such transitions on thermal comfort and energy in buildings are crucial to understand. Types of energy use associated with a buildings life cycle include its embodied energy, operational and maintenance energy, demolition and disposal energy. Embodied Energy (EE) represents total energy consumption for construction of building, i.e., embodied energy of building materials, material transportation energy and building construction energy. Embodied energy of building materials forms major contribution to embodied energy in buildings. Operational energy (OE) in buildings mainly contributed by space conditioning and lighting requirements, depends on the climatic conditions of the region and comfort requirements of the building occupants. Less energy intensive natural materials are used for traditional buildings and the EE of traditional buildings is low. Transition in use of materials causes significant impact on embodied energy of vernacular dwellings. Use of manufactured, energy intensive materials like brick, cement, steel, glass etc. contributes to high embodied energy in these dwellings. This paper studies the increase in EE of the dwelling attributed to change in wall materials. Climatic location significantly influences operational energy in dwellings. Buildings located in regions experiencing extreme climatic conditions would require more operational energy to satisfy the heating and cooling energy demands throughout the year. Traditional buildings adopt passive techniques or non-mechanical methods for space conditioning to overcome the vagaries of extreme climatic variations and hence less operational energy. This study assesses operational energy in traditional dwelling with regard to change in wall material and climatic location. OE in the dwellings has been assessed for hot-dry, warm humid and moderate climatic zones. Choice of thermal comfort models is yet another factor which greatly influences operational energy assessment in buildings. The paper adopts two popular thermal-comfort models, viz., ASHRAE comfort standards and TSI by Sharma and Ali to investigate thermal comfort aspects and impact of these comfort models on OE assessment in traditional dwellings. A naturally ventilated vernacular dwelling in Sugganahalli, a village close to Bangalore (India), set in warm - humid climate is considered for present investigations on impact of transition in building materials, change in climatic location and choice of thermal comfort models on energy in buildings. The study includes a rigorous real time monitoring of the thermal performance of the dwelling. Dynamic simulation models validated by measured data have also been adopted to determine the impact of the transition from vernacular to modern material-configurations. Results of the study and appraisal for appropriate thermal comfort standards for computing operational energy has been presented and discussed in this paper. (c) 2014 K.I. Praseeda. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

High-conductance states and A-type K+ channels are potential regulators of the conductance-current balance triggered by HCN channels

An increase in the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel conductance reduces input resistance, whereas the consequent increase in the inward h current depolarizes the membrane. This results in a delicate and unique conductance-current balance triggered by the expression of HCN channels. In this study, we employ experimentally constrained, morphologically realistic, conductance-based models of hippocampal neurons to explore certain aspects of this conductance-current balance. First, we found that the inclusion of an experimentally determined gradient in A-type K+ conductance, but not in M-type K+ conductance, tilts the HCN conductance-current balance heavily in favor of conductance, thereby exerting an overall restorative influence on neural excitability. Next, motivated by the well-established modulation of neuronal excitability by synaptically driven high-conductance states observed under in vivo conditions, we inserted thousands of excitatory and inhibitory synapses with different somatodendritic distributions. We measured the efficacy of HCN channels, independently and in conjunction with other channels, in altering resting membrane potential (RMP) and input resistance (R-in) when the neuron received randomized or rhythmic synaptic bombardments through variable numbers of synaptic inputs. We found that the impact of HCN channels on average RMP, R in, firing frequency, and peak-to-peak voltage response was severely weakened under high-conductance states, with the impinging synaptic drive playing a dominant role in regulating these measurements. Our results suggest that the debate on the role of HCN channels in altering excitability should encompass physiological and pathophysiological neuronal states under in vivo conditions and the spatiotemporal interactions of HCN channels with other channels.

Antiferromagnetism in Fe1+y Te and Superconductivity in K (x) Fe2Se2

Iron-based layered chalcogenides are interesting because of their structural magnetic and superconducting properties. Single crystals of the parent binary chalcogenides, Fe1+y Te, and intercalated ternary chalcogenides, K0.8Fe2Se2, are grown and investigated in detail. Single crystals are grown by modified horizontal Bridgman method. Fe1+y Te demonstrates an antiferromagnetic (AFM) transition at T (N) =67 K which is identified as a magnetostructural transition. By varying the concentration of excess Fe, we have tuned T (N) over a range of temperature from 67 to 57 K. The superconducting properties of K0.8Fe2Se2 crystals are explored by magnetization measurements. A superconducting transition is observed at T (C) =31 K. The lower critical field of K0.8Fe2Se2 is estimated from field variation of magnetization measurements.

Layered Exact-Repair Regenerating Codes via Embedded Error Correction and Block Designs

A new class of exact-repair regenerating codes is constructed by stitching together shorter erasure correction codes, where the stitching pattern can be viewed as block designs. The proposed codes have the help-by-transfer property where the helper nodes simply transfer part of the stored data directly, without performing any computation. This embedded error correction structure makes the decoding process straightforward, and in some cases the complexity is very low. We show that this construction is able to achieve performance better than space-sharing between the minimum storage regenerating codes and the minimum repair-bandwidth regenerating codes, and it is the first class of codes to achieve this performance. In fact, it is shown that the proposed construction can achieve a nontrivial point on the optimal functional-repair tradeoff, and it is asymptotically optimal at high rate, i.e., it asymptotically approaches the minimum storage and the minimum repair-bandwidth simultaneously.

LDPC Code Designs Based on root I Matrices

LDPC codes can be constructed by tiling permutation matrices that belong to the square root of identity type and similar algebraic structures. We investigate into the properties of such codes. We also present code structures that are amenable for efficient encoding.

Evidence for phase transitions and pseudospin phonon coupling in K-0.9(NH4)(0.1)H2AsO4

This work reports a detailed temperature dependent Raman study on the mixed crystals of K-0.9(NH4)(0.1)H2AsO4 (KADA) from 5K to 300K in the spectral range of 60-1200cm(-1), covering tetragonal to orthorhombic structural phase transition accompanied by paraelectric to ferroelectric transition at T-c* similar to 60K. Multiple phase transitions below transition temperature (Tc* similar to 60K) are marked by the appearance of new modes, splitting of existing ones as well as anomalies in the self-energy parameters (i.e. mode frequencies and damping coefficient) of the phonon modes. Temperature independent behaviour of damping coefficient and abrupt jump in the mode frequency of some of the internal vibrations of AsO4 tetrahedra as well as external vibrations clearly signal long range ferroelectric ordering and proton ordering below T-c*. In addition, we observed that temperature dependence of many prominent phonon modes diverges significantly from their normal anharmonic behaviour below T-c* suggesting potential coupling between pseudospins and phonons. (C) 2015 Author(s).

Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes simulations of compressible mixing layers of similar and dissimilar gases: Performance of k- turbulence model

The issue of growth rate reduction of high speed mixing layer with convective Mach number is examined for similar and dissimilar gases using Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) methodology with k- turbulence model. It is observed that the growth rate predicted using RANS simulations closely matches with that predicted using model free simulations. Velocity profiles do not depend on the modelled value of Pr-t and Sc-t; while the temperature and species mass fraction distributions depend heavily on them. Although basic k- turbulence model could not capture the reduced growth rate for the mixing layer formed between similar gases, it predicts very well the reduced growth rate for the mixing layer for the dissimilar gases. It appears that density ratio changes caused by temperature changes for the dissimilar gases have profound effect on the growth rate reduction.

Inner Bound on the GDOF of the K-User MIMO Gaussian Symmetric Interference Channel

The K-user multiple input multiple output (MIMO) Gaussian symmetric interference channel where each transmitter has M antennas and each receiver has N antennas is studied from a generalized degrees of freedom (GDOF) perspective. An inner bound on the GDOF is derived using a combination of techniques such as treating interference as noise, zero forcing (ZF) at the receivers, interference alignment (IA), and extending the Han-Kobayashi (HK) scheme to K users, as a function of the number of antennas and the log INR/log SNR level. Several interesting conclusions are drawn from the derived bounds. It is shown that when K > N/M + 1, a combination of the HK and IA schemes performs the best among the schemes considered. When N/M < K <= N/M + 1, the HK-scheme outperforms other schemes and is found to be GDOF optimal in many cases. In addition, when the SNR and INR are at the same level, ZF-receiving and the HK-scheme have the same GDOF performance.