Tunable Locally-Optimal Geographical Forwarding in Wireless Sensor Networks with Sleep-Wake Cycling Nodes

We consider a wireless sensor network whose main function is to detect certain infrequent alarm events, and to forward alarm packets to a base station, using geographical forwarding. The nodes know their locations, and they sleep-wake cycle, waking up periodically but not synchronously. In this situation, when a node has a packet to forward to the sink, there is a trade-off between how long this node waits for a suitable neighbor to wake up and the progress the packet makes towards the sink once it is forwarded to this neighbor. Hence, in choosing a relay node, we consider the problem of minimizing average delay subject to a constraint on the average progress. By constraint relaxation, we formulate this next hop relay selection problem as a Markov decision process (MDP). The exact optimal solution (BF (Best Forward)) can be found, but is computationally intensive. Next, we consider a mathematically simplified model for which the optimal policy (SF (Simplified Forward)) turns out to be a simple one-step-look-ahead rule. Simulations show that SF is very close in performance to BF, even for reasonably small node density. We then study the end-to-end performance of SF in comparison with two extremal policies: Max Forward (MF) and First Forward (FF), and an end-to-end delay minimising policy proposed by Kim et al. 1]. We find that, with appropriate choice of one hop average progress constraint, SF can be tuned to provide a favorable trade-off between end-to-end packet delay and the number of hops in the forwarding path.

Origin of the insulating state in NaCuO2

We study the electronic structure of NaCuO2 by analysing experimental core level photoemission and X-ray absorption spectra using a cluster as well as an Anderson impurity Hamiltonian including the band structure of the oxygen sublattice. We show that the X-ray absorption results unambiguously establish a negative value of the charge transfer energy, A. Further, mean-field calculations for the edge-shared one-dimensional CuO2 lattice of NaCuO2 within the multiband Hubbard Hamiltonian show that the origin of the insulating nature lies in the band structure rather than in the correlation effects. LMTO-ASA band structure calculations suggest that NaCuO2 is an insulator with a gap of around 1 eV.

Origin of visible photoluminescence from porous silicon as studied by Raman spectroscopy

In this paper we discuss the different models proposed to explain the visible luminescence in porous silicon (PS). We review our recent photoluminescence and Raman studies on PS as a function of different preparation conditions and isochronal thermal annealing. Our results can be explained by a hybrid model which incorporates both nanostructures for quantum confinement and silicon complexes (such as SiHx, and siloxene) and defects at Si/SiO2, interfaces as luminescent centres.

Origin of magnetism and trend in T-c in Cr-based double perovskites: Interplay of two driving mechanisms

Hamiltonian constructed in a first principles manner, we explored the origin of magnetism and the T-c trend in Cr-based double perovskite series, Sr2CrB'O-6 (B' = W/Re/Os). Our study shows that the apparently puzzling T-c trend in Sr2CrB'O-6 (B' = W/Re/Os) series can be understood in terms of the interplay of the hybridization driven mechanism and the superexchange mechanism.

Microscopic origin of the chirality driven morphologies of the amphiphilic monolayers and bilayers

It is widely known that the compressed monolayers and bilayers of chiral lipids or fatty acids form helical morphologies, while the corresponding racemic modification gives only flat platelets without twist. No molecular explanation of this phenomenon is yet available, although subtle interactions at the chiral centers have often been proposed as the driving force behind the morphology of the aggregate to form a particular shape. In the present study, the morphologies of the chiral amphiphilic assemblies have been predicted on the basis of an effective pair potential between the molecules, which depends on the relative sizes of the groups attached to the chiral centers, the orientation of the amphiphilic molecules and also on the distance between them. It is shown that fur a pair of same kind of enantiomers, the minimum energy conformation favours a twist angle between them. This twist between the neighbouring molecules gives rise to the helicity of the aggregate. The present theory also shows from the molecular considerations that for a pair of mirror-image isomers (i.e. the racemic modification) the minimum energy conformation corresponds to the zero angle between the molecules, thus giving rise to flat platelets as observed in experiments. Another fascinating aspect of such chirality driven helical structures is that the sense (or the handedness) of the helix is highly specific about the chirality of the monomer concerned. The molecular theory shows, for the first time, that the sense of the helical structures in many cases is determined by the sizes of the groups attached to the chiral centers and the effective potential between them. The predicted senses of the helical structures are in complete agreement with the experimental results.

Origin of a trend in ECMWF wind analysis and its objective removal

The suitability of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) operational wind analysis for the period 1980-1991 for studying interannual variability is examined. The changes in the model and the analysis procedure are shown to give rise to a systematic and significant trend in the large scale circulation features. A new method of removing the systematic errors at all levels is presented using multivariate EOF analysis. Objectively detrended analysis of the three-dimensional wind field agrees well with independent Florida State University (FSU) wind analysis at the surface. It is shown that the interannual variations in the detrended surface analysis agree well in amplitude as well as spatial patterns with those of the FSU analysis. Therefore, the detrended analyses at other levels as well are expected to be useful for studies of variability and predictability at interannual time scales. It is demonstrated that this trend in the wind field is due to the shift in the climatologies from the period 1980-1985 to the period 1986-1991.

Origin of the unconventional magnetoresistance in Sr(2)FeMoO6(6)

The unusual magnetoresistance (MR) behavior in Sr2FeMoO6, recently termed as spin-valve-type MR (SVMR), presents several anomalies that are little understood so far. The difficulty in probing the origin of this phenomenon, arising from the magnetic property of only a small volume fraction of the ferromagnetic bulk, is circumvented in the present study by the use of ac susceptibility measurements that are sensitive to the slope rather than the magnitude of the magnetization. The present study unravels a spin-glass (SG) like surface layer around each soft ferromagnetic (FM) grain of Sr2FeMoO6. It is also observed that there is a very strong exchange coupling between the two, generating ``exchange bias'' effect, which consequently creates the ``valve'', responsible for the unusual MR effects. Copyright (C) EPLA, 2011

Origin of carrier-type reversal in Pb-Ge-Se glasses: A detailed thermal, electrical, and structural study

A long-standing and important problem in glass science has been carrier-type reversal (CTR) in semiconducting glasses. This phenomenon is exhibited by Pb-Ge-Se glasses also. It has been addressed here by carrying out detailed electrical, thermal, and spectroscopic investigations. PbxGe42-xSe58 (x = 0-20) glasses were prepared by a two stage melt-quenching process and characterized using x-ray diffraction, high-resolution electron microscropy, and energy dispersive analysis of x-rays. Thermoelectric power and high-pressure electrical resistivity have been measured. IR, Raman, and X-ray adsorption near edge structure spectroscopies have been used for examining the glass structures as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for studying the thermal properties. A structural model based on the chemical nature of the constituents has been proposed to account for the observed properties of these glasses. Effect of Pb incorporation on local structures and qualitative consequences on the energy band structures of Ge-Se glasses has been considered. The p -->n transition has been attributed to the energetic disposition of the sp(3)d(2) band of Pb atoms, which is located closely above the lone pair band of selenium. This feature makes Pb unique in the context of p -->n transition of chalcogenide glasses. The model can be extended successfully to account for the CTR behavior observed in Bi containing chalcogenide glasses also.

Hydrogen-bond dynamics near a micellar surface: Origin of the universal slow relaxation at complex aqueous interfaces

The dynamics of hydrogen bonds among water molecules themselves and with the polar head groups (PHG) at a micellar surface have been investigated by long molecular dynamics simulations. The lifetime of the hydrogen bond between a PHG and a water molecule is found to be much longer than that between any two water molecules, and is likely to be a general feature of hydrophilic surfaces of organized assemblies. Analyses of individual water trajectories suggest that water molecules can remain bound to the micellar surface for more than 100 ps. The activation energy for such a transition from the bound to a free state for the water molecules is estimated to be about 3.5 kcal/mol.

Prevalence of, and antigenic variation in, serotype G10 rotaviruses and detection of serotype G3 strains in diarrheic calves: Implications for the origin of G10P11 or P11 type reassortant asymptomatic strains in newborn children in India

Previous studies have shown predominant association of G10P11 type bovine rotavirus-derived reassortant strains with asymptomatic infections in newborn children in India. To understand the epidemiological and genetic basis for the origin of these strains in humans, the relative frequencies of different serotypes among bovine rotaviruses (BRVs) isolated from southern, western and central regions of the country were determined by subgroup and serotype analysis as well as nucleotide (nt) sequence analysis of the genes encoding the outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7. Since the human G10P11 asymptomatic neonatal strain I321 possessed NSP1 from a human rotavirus, to determine its genetic origin in the bovine strains, comparative analysis of partial gene sequences from representative G10P11 strains was also carried out. The following observations were of great epidemiological significance, (i) G10P11 strains predominated in all the three regions with frequencies ranging between 55.6% and 85.2%. In contrast to the high prevalence of G6 strains in other countries, only one G6 strain was detected in this study and G8 strains represented 5.8% of the isolates, (ii) among the G10 strains, in serotyping ELISA, four patterns of reactivity were observed that appeared to correlate with the differences in electropherotypic patterns and amino acid (aa) sequence of the VP7, (iii) surprisingly, strains belonging to serotype G3 were detected more frequently (10.7%) than those of serotypes G6 and G8 combined, while strains representing the new serotype (G15) were observed in a single farm in Bangalore, and (iv) about 3.9% of the isolates were nontypeable as they exhibited high cross-reactivity to the serotyping MAbs used in the study. Comparative analysis of the VP7 gene sequence from the prototype G3 MAb-reactive bovine strain J63 revealed greatest sequence relatedness (87.6% nt and 96.0% aa) with that of serotype G3 rhesus-monkey strain RRV. It also exhibited high sequence homology with the VP7 from several animal and animal rotavirus-related human G3 strains (Simian SA11; equine ERV316 and FI-14. canine CU-1 and K9; porcine 4F; Feline Cat2 and human HCR3, YO and AU1). Partial nucleotide sequence analysis of the NSP1 gene of J63 showed greatest nt sequence homology (95.9%) to the NSP1 gene allele of the Indian G8 strain, isolated from a diarrheic child, which is likely to have been transmitted directly from cattle and 92.6% homology to that of the bovine G8 strain A5-10 suggesting the likely origin of J63 by gene reassortment between a bovine G8 strain and a G3 animal strain. Prevalence of G10P11 strains in cattle and G10P11 or P11 type reassortant strains in asymptomatic neonates as well as detection of G8P[1] strains in diarrheic children support our hypothesis for bidirectional transmission of rotaviruses between humans and cattle and origin of novel strains catalyzed by the age-old traditions and socio-economic conditions in India.

The origin of degeneracies and crossings in the 1d Hubbard model

The paper is devoted to the connection between integrability of a finite quantum system and degeneracies of its energy levels. In particular, we analyse in detail the energy spectra of finite Hubbard chains. Heilmann and Lieb demonstrated that in these systems there are crossings of levels of the same parameter-independent symmetry. We show that this apparent violation of the Wigner-von Neumann noncrossing rule follows directly from the existence of nontrivial conservation laws and is a characteristic signature of quantum integrability. The energy spectra of Hubbard chains display many instances of permanent (at all values of the coupling) twofold degeneracies that cannot be explained by parameter-independent symmetries. We relate these degeneracies to the different transformation properties of the conserved currents under spatial reflections and the particle-hole transformation and estimate the fraction of doubly degenerate states. We also discuss multiply degenerate eigenstates of the Hubbard Hamiltonian. The wavefunctions of many of these states do not depend on the coupling, which suggests the existence of an additional parameter-independent symmetry.

The origin of the solar magnetic cycle

After summarizing the relevant observational data, we discuss how a study of flux tube dynamics in the solar convection zone helps us to understand the formation of sunspots. Then we introduce the flux transport dynamo model and assess its success in modelling both the solar cycle and its departures from strictly periodic behaviour.