l-pGlu-(2-propyl)-l-His-l-ProNH2 attenuates 4-aminopyridine-induced epileptiform activity and sodium current: a possible action of new thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog for its anticonvulsant potential

L-PGlu-(2-proPyl)-L-His-L-ProNH(2) (NP-647) is a CNS active thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) analog with potential application in various CNS disorders including seizures. In the present study, mechanism of action for protective effect of NP-647 was explored by studying role of NP-647 on epileptiform activity and sodium channels by using patch-clamp methods. Epileptiform activity was induced in subicular pyramidal neurons of hippocampal slice of rat by perfusing 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) containing Mg(+2)-free normal artificial cerebrospinal fluid (nACSF). Increase in mean firing frequency was observed after perfusion of 4-AP and zero Mg(+2) (2.10+/-0.47 Hz) as compared with nACSF (0.12+/-0.08 Hz). A significant decrease in mean firing frequency (0.61+/-0.22 Hz), mean frequency of epileptiform events (0.03+/-0.02 Hz vs. 0.22+/-0.05 Hz of 4-AP+0 Mg), and average number of action potentials in paroxysmal depolarization shift-burst (2.54+/-1.21 Hz vs. 8.16+/-0.88 Hz of 4-AP +0 Mg) was observed. A significant reduction in peak dV/dt (246+/-19 mV ms(-1) vs. 297 18 mV ms-1 of 4-AP+0 Mg) and increase (1.332+/-0.018 ms vs. 1.292+/-0.019 ms of 4-AP+0 Mg) in time required to reach maximum depolarization were observed indicating role of sodium channels. Concentration-dependent depression of sodium current was observed after exposure to dorsal root ganglion neurons to NP-647. NP-647 at different concentrations (1, 3, and 10 mu M) depressed sodium current (15+/-0.5%, 50+/-2.6%, and 75+/-0.7%, respectively). However, NP-647 did not show change in the peak sodium current in CNa18 cells. Results of present study demonstrated potential of NP-647 in the inhibition of epileptiform activity by inhibiting sodium channels indirectly. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

BER Analysis of Uplink OFDMA in the Presence of Carrier Frequency and Timing Offsets on Rician Fading Channels

In orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) on the uplink, the carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) and/or timing offsets (TOs) of other users with respect to a desired user can cause multiuser interference (MUI). Analytically evaluating the effect of these CFO/TO-induced MUI on the bit error rate (BER) performance is of interest. In this paper, we analyze the BER performance of uplink OFDMA in the presence of CFOs and TOs on Rician fading channels. A multicluster multipath channel model that is typical in indoor/ultrawideband and underwater acoustic channels is considered. Analytical BER expressions that quantify the degradation in BER due to the combined effect of both CFOs and TOs in uplink OFDMA with M-state quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) are derived. Analytical and simulation BER results are shown to match very well. The derived BER expressions are shown to accurately quantify the performance degradation due to nonzero CFOs and TOs, which can serve as a useful tool in OFDMA system design.

Estimation of Series Capacitance of a Transformer Winding Based on Frequency-Response Data: An Indirect Measurement Approach

A novel procedure to determine the series capacitance of a transformer winding, based on frequency-response measurements, is reported. It is based on converting the measured driving-point impedance magnitude response into a rational function and thereafter exploiting the ratio of a specific coefficient in the numerator and denominator polynomial, which leads to the direct estimation of series capacitance. The theoretical formulations are derived for a mutually coupled ladder-network model, followed by sample calculations. The results obtained are accurate and its feasibility is demonstrated by experiments on model-coil and on actual, single, isolated transformer windings (layered, continuous disc, and interleaved disc). The authors believe that the proposed method is the closest one can get to indirectly measuring series capacitance.

Passive vibration isolation of reaction wheel disturbances using a low frequency flexible space platform

Reaction wheel assemblies (RWAs) are momentum exchange devices used in fine pointing control of spacecrafts. Even though the spinning rotor of the reaction wheel is precisely balanced to minimize emitted vibration due to static and dynamic imbalances, precision instrument payloads placed in the neighborhood can always be severely impacted by residual vibration forces emitted by reaction wheel assemblies. The reduction of the vibration level at sensitive payloads can be achieved by placing the RWA on appropriate mountings. A low frequency flexible space platform consisting of folded continuous beams has been designed to serve as a mount for isolating a disturbance source in precision payloads equipped spacecrafts. Analytical and experimental investigations have been carried out to test the usefulness of the low frequency flexible platform as a vibration isolator for RWAs. Measurements and tests have been conducted at varying wheel speeds, to quantify and characterize the amount of isolation obtained from the reaction wheel generated vibration. These tests are further extended to other variants of similar design in order to bring out the best isolation for given disturbance loads. Both time and frequency domain analysis of test data show that the flexible beam platform as a mount for reaction wheels is quite effective and can be used in spacecrafts for passive vibration control. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Frequency response analysis of layered ground in Ahmedabad during Bhuj earthquake

This paper presents the results of seismic response analysis of layered ground in Ahmedabad City during the earthquake in Bhuj on 26(th) January 2001. An attempt has been made to understand the reasons for the failure of multistoreyed buildings founded on soft alluvial deposits in Ahmedabad. Standard Penetration test at a site very close to the Sabarmati river belt was carried out for geotechnical investigations. The program SHAKE91, widely used in the field of earthquake engineering for computing the seismic response of horizontally layered soil deposits, was used to analyse the soil profile at the selected site considering the ground as one dimensional layered elastic system. The ground accelerations recorded at the ground floor of the Regional Passport Staff Quarters building, which is very close to the investigated site, was used as input motion. Also, Finite Element Analysis was carried out for different configurations of multistorey building frames for evaluating their natural frequencies and is compared with the predominant frequency of the layered soil system. The results reveal that the varying degree of damage to multistorey buildings in the close proximity of Sabarmati river area was essentially due to the large amplification of the ground and the near resonance condition.

Adaptive window zero-crossing-based instantaneous frequency estimation

We address the problem of estimating instantaneous frequency (IF) of a real-valued constant amplitude time-varying sinusoid. Estimation of polynomial IF is formulated using the zero-crossings of the signal. We propose an algorithm to estimate nonpolynomial IF by local approximation using a low-order polynomial, over a short segment of the signal. This involves the choice of window length to minimize the mean square error (MSE). The optimal window length found by directly minimizing the MSE is a function of the higher-order derivatives of the IF which are not available a priori. However, an optimum solution is formulated using an adaptive window technique based on the concept of intersection of confidence intervals. The adaptive algorithm enables minimum MSE-IF (MMSE-IF) estimation without requiring a priori information about the IF. Simulation results show that the adaptive window zero-crossing-based IF estimation method is superior to fixed window methods and is also better than adaptive spectrogram and adaptive Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD)-based IF estimators for different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Beat frequency oscillations in the output voltage of high voltage DC power supplies under pulsed loading

High voltage power supplies for radar applications are investigated, which are subjected to pulsed load (125 kHz and 10% duty cycle) with stringent specifications (<0.01% regulation, efficiency>85%, droop<0.5 V/micro-sec.). As good regulation and stable operation requires the converter to be switched at much higher frequency than the pulse load frequency, transformer poses serious problems of insulation failure and higher losses. Few converter topologies are proposed to tackle these problems. A study is made regarding the beat frequency oscillations that may exist with pulsed loading. It is illustrated with respect to the proposed converter topologies. Methods are proposed to eliminate or minimize these oscillations.

Unusual dependence of raman mode frequency on excitation wavelength in graphite and single walled carbon nanotubes

In this paper we report resonance Raman scattering from graphite covering excitation energies in the range 2.4 eV to 6 eV. The Raman excitation profile shows a maximum at 4.94 eV (lambda = 251nm) for the G - band (1582 cm(-1)). The D-band at similar to 1350 cm(-1), attributed to disorder activated Raman scattering, does not show up in Raman spectra recorded with excitation wavelengths smaller than 257.3 nm, revealing that the resonance enhancements of the G and D-modes are widely different. Earlier Raman measurements in carbon materials have also revealed a very large and unusual dependence of the D - mode frequency on excitation laser wavelength. This phenomenon is also observed in carbon nanotubes. In this paper we show for the first time that the above unusual dependence arises from the disorder - induced double resonance mechanism.

Evidence for low temperature glassy behavior in La0.5Sr0.5CoO3

We report the observed low temperature spin glass like feature in the optimally doped La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 ferromagnetic system. The characteristic of glassy behavior has been identified by noting (i) the frequency-dependent shift of the low temperature hump position in the out of phase ac susceptibility component; (ii) evolution of freezing temperature with dc biasing field that adheres to de Almeida-Thouless relation; (iii) memory effect; and (iv) sluggish magnetic relaxation. The results of magnetic measurements demonstrate that neither the inter-cluster interaction nor the spin disorder at the interface between ferromagnetic clusters is responsible for the manifestation of such collective glassy behavior. Rather, it is believed to arise from a distinct cluster glass like phase that possibly coexists with the dominant ferromagnetic phase. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3684610]

Time and Frequency Domain Finite Element Models for Axial Wave Analysis in Hyperelastic Rods

The propagation of axial waves in hyperelastic rods is studied using both time and frequency domain finite element models. The nonlinearity is introduced using the Murnaghan strain energy function and the equations governing the dynamics of the rod are derived assuming linear kinematics. In the time domain, the standard Galerkin finite element method, spectral element method, and Taylor-Galerkin finite element method are considered. A frequency domain formulation based on the Fourier spectral method is also developed. It is found that the time domain spectral element method provides the most efficient numerical tool for the problem considered.

Development of a composite material with high magnetic permeability and low loss factor for high frequency application

A flexible composite suitable for MHz frequency application has been developed by combining Fe3O4 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The loss factor and the permeability have been evaluated. At an optimum weight percentage of Fe3O4 in the PVA matrix, the frequency at which the loss factor gives a minimum shifts to the MHz region. The loss factor has been found to be lower by one order of magnitude at 70 MHz compared to the presently used nickel zinc ferrite. The Henkel plot and the Cole-Cole plot have been obtained for the understanding of the high magnetic permeability and the low loss factor. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. doi:10.1063/1.3672867]

Tuning the magnetic ground state in LixNi(2-x)O2

The experimental determination of the magnetic ground state of triangular lattice anti-ferromagnet LiNiO2 is an intriguing problem as the system is prone to be Li deficient. We have been successful in preparing nearly stoichiometric LiNiO2 showing an anti-ferromagnetic ground state with an ordering temperature similar to 12 K. As the Li deficiency increases the sample exhibits spin glass behavior evidenced by a shift in the spin glass freezing temperature as a function of frequency in the ac susceptibility studies. As the Li deficiency crosses a critical limit, the sample becomes ferromagnetic in nature. We are able to tune the ferromagnetic transition temperature up to 240 K by varying the Li content. Finally, we have constructed a magnetic phase diagram. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. doi:10.1063/1.3675997]

Online Computation of Hysteresis Boundary for Constant Switching Frequency Current-Error Space-Vector-Based Hysteresis Controller for VSI-Fed IM Drives

This paper proposes a current-error space-vector-based hysteresis controller with online computation of boundary for two-level inverter-fed induction motor (IM) drives. The proposed hysteresis controller has got all advantages of conventional current-error space-vector-based hysteresis controllers like quick transient response, simplicity, adjacent voltage vector switching, etc. Major advantage of the proposed controller-based voltage-source-inverters-fed drive is that phase voltage frequency spectrum produced is exactly similar to that of a constant switching frequency space-vector pulsewidth modulated (SVPWM) inverter. In this proposed hysteresis controller, stator voltages along alpha- and beta-axes are estimated during zero and active voltage vector periods using current errors along alpha- and beta-axes and steady-state model of IM. Online computation of hysteresis boundary is carried out using estimated stator voltages in the proposed hysteresis controller. The proposed scheme is simple and capable of taking inverter upto six-step-mode operation, if demanded by drive system. The proposed hysteresis-controller-based inverter-fed drive scheme is experimentally verified. The steady state and transient performance of the proposed scheme is extensively tested. The experimental results are giving constant frequency spectrum for phase voltage similar to that of constant frequency SVPWM inverter-fed drive.

Changing resonator geometry to boost sound power decouples size and song frequency in a small insect

Despite their small size, some insects, such as crickets, can produce high amplitude mating songs by rubbing their wings together. By exploiting structural resonance for sound radiation, crickets broadcast species-specific songs at a sharply tuned frequency. Such songs enhance the range of signal transmission, contain information about the signaler's quality, and allow mate choice. The production of pure tones requires elaborate structural mechanisms that control and sustain resonance at the species-specific frequency. Tree crickets differ sharply from this scheme. Although they use a resonant system to produce sound, tree crickets can produce high amplitude songs at different frequencies, varying by as much as an octave. Based on an investigation of the driving mechanism and the resonant system, using laser Doppler vibrometry and finite element modeling, we show that it is the distinctive geometry of the crickets' forewings (the resonant system) that is responsible for their capacity to vary frequency. The long, enlarged wings enable the production of high amplitude songs; however, as a mechanical consequence of the high aspect ratio, the resonant structures have multiple resonant modes that are similar in frequency. The drive produced by the singing apparatus cannot, therefore, be locked to a single frequency, and different resonant modes can easily be engaged, allowing individual males to vary the carrier frequency of their songs. Such flexibility in sound production, decoupling body size and song frequency, has important implications for conventional views of mate choice, and offers inspiration for the design of miniature, multifrequency, resonant acoustic radiators.

Tailoring the Magnetic and Optical Characteristics of Nanocrystalline BiFeO3 by Ce Doping

The Ce-doped BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a facile solgel route with varying Ce concentrations in the range of 15 mol%. Ferroelectric transition temperature was found to shift from 723 degrees C +/- 5 degrees C for pristine BFO NPs to 534 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C for 5 mol% Ce-doped BFO NPs. UVVis absorption spectra of BFO NPs showed a significant blue shift of similar to 100 nm on Ce doping. The Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrum centered similar to 550 cm(-1) becomes considerably broadened on Ce doping which is due to additional closely spaced vibrational peaks as revealed by the second derivative FTIR analysis. High-frequency EPR measurements indicated that clustering occurs at high dopant levels, and that Fe is present as Fe(3+)corroborating Mossbauer measurements. The values of saturation and remanent magnetization for 3% Ce-doped BFO NPs are 3.03 and 0.49 emu/g, respectively, which are quite significant at room temperature, making it more suitable for technological applications.