Structural characterization, EPR and thermoluminescence properties of Cd-1 (-) xNixSiO3 nanocrystalline phosphors

Cd-1 - xNixSiO3 (x = 1-7 mol%) nanophosphors have been prepared for the first time by the combustion method using oxylyldihydrizide as a fuel. Powder X-ray diffraction results confirm the formation of monoclinic phase. Scanning electron micrographs show that Ni2+ influences the porosity of samples. The optical energy gap is widened with increase of Ni2+ ion dopant. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of Ni2+ ions in CdSiO3 exhibits a symmetric absorption at g = 2.343 and the site symmetry around Ni2+ ions is predominantly octahedral. The number of spins participating in resonance (N) and the paramagnetic susceptibility (chi) has been evaluated. The thermoluminescence intensity is found to increase up to similar to 20 min ultra-violet exposure and thereafter, decrease with further increase of ultra-violet dose. The kinetic parameters such as activation energy (E), frequency factor (s)and order of kinetics was estimated using glow peak shape method and the results are discussed. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A weighted average-based external clock synchronisation protocol for wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have many application scenarios where external clock synchronisation may be required because a WSN may consist of components which are not connected to each other. In this paper, we first propose a novel weighted average-based internal clock synchronisation (WICS) protocol, which synchronises all the clocks of a WSN with the clock of a reference node periodically. Based on this protocol, we then propose our weighted average-based external clock synchronisation (WECS) protocol. We have analysed the proposed protocols for maximum synchronisation error and shown that it is always upper bounded. Extensive simulation studies of the proposed protocols have been carried out using Castalia simulator. Simulation results validate our above theoretical claim and also show that the proposed protocols perform better in comparison to other protocols in terms of synchronisation accuracy. A prototype implementation of the WICS protocol using a few TelosB motes also validates the above conclusions.

PULSE-PHASE-RESOLVED SPECTROSCOPY OF VELA X-1 WITH SUZAKU

We present a detailed pulse-phase-resolved spectral analysis of the persistent high-mass X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1 observed with Suzaku during 2008 June. The pulse profiles exhibit both intensity and energy dependence with multiple peaks at low energies and double peaks at higher energies. The source shows some spectral evolution over the duration of the observation and care has been taken to average over data with minimum spectral variability for the analysis. We model the continuum with a phenomenological partial covering high-energy cutoff model and a more physical partial covering thermal Comptonization model (CompTT) excluding the time ranges having variable hardness ratio and intensity dependence. For both the models, we detect a cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) and its harmonic at similar to 25 keV and similar to 50 keV. Both the CRSF fundamental and harmonics parameters are strongly variable over the pulse phase, with the ratio of the two line energies deviating from the classical value of 2. The continuum parameters also show significant variation over the pulse phase and give us some idea about the changing physical conditions that are seen with the changing viewing angle at different pulse phases and obscuration by the accretion stream at some pulse phases.

A weighted average based external clock synchronization protocol for wireless sensor networks

Clock synchronization is an extremely important requirement of wireless sensor networks(WSNs). There are many application scenarios such as weather monitoring and forecasting etc. where external clock synchronization may be required because WSN itself may consists of components which are not connected to each other. A usual approach for external clock synchronization in WSNs is to synchronize the clock of a reference node with an external source such as UTC, and the remaining nodes synchronize with the reference node using an internal clock synchronization protocol. In order to provide highly accurate time, both the offset and the drift rate of each clock with respect to reference node are estimated from time to time, and these are used for getting correct time from local clock reading. A problem with this approach is that it is difficult to estimate the offset of a clock with respect to the reference node when drift rate of clocks varies over a period of time. In this paper, we first propose a novel internal clock synchronization protocol based on weighted averaging technique, which synchronizes all the clocks of a WSN to a reference node periodically. We call this protocol weighted average based internal clock synchronization(WICS) protocol. Based on this protocol, we then propose our weighted average based external clock synchronization(WECS) protocol. We have analyzed the proposed protocols for maximum synchronization error and shown that it is always upper bounded. Extensive simulation studies of the proposed protocols have been carried out using Castalia simulator. Simulation results validate our theoretical claim that the maximum synchronization error is always upper bounded and also show that the proposed protocols perform better in comparison to other protocols in terms of synchronization accuracy. A prototype implementation of the proposed internal clock synchronization protocol using a few TelosB motes also validates our claim.

A STUDY INTO THE BEHAVIOR OF AN ALUMINUM FOAM UNDER COMPRESSION

The characterization of a closed-cell aluminum foam with the trade name Alporas is carried out here under compression loading for a nominal cross-head speed of 1 mm/min. Foam samples in the form of cubes are tested in a UTM and the average stress-strain behavior is obtained which clearly displays a plateau strength of approximately 2 MPa. It is noted that the specific energy absorption capacity of the foam can be high despite its low strength which makes it attractive as a material for certain energy-absorbing countermeasures. The mechanical behavior of the present Alporas foam is simulated using cellular (i.e. so-called microstructure-based) and solid element-based finite element models. The efficacy of the cellular approach is shown, perhaps for the first time in published literature, in terms of prediction of both stress-strain response and inclined fold formation during axial crush under compression loading. Keeping in mind future applications under impact loads, limited results are presented when foam samples are subjected to low velocity impact in a drop-weight test set-up.

Molecular cloning, overexpression, and characterization of autophosphorylation in calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) from Cicer arietinum

In plants, calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) are key intermediates in calcium-mediated signaling that couple changes in Ca2+ levels to a specific response. In the present study, we report the high-level soluble expression of calcium-dependent protein kinase1 from Cicer arietinum (CaCDPK1) in Escherichia coli. The expression of soluble CaCDPK1 was temperature dependent with a yield of 3-4 mg/l of bacterial culture. CaCDPK1 expressed as histidine-tag fusion protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography till homogeneity. The recombinant CaCDPK1 protein exhibited both calcium-dependent autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation activities with a V (max) and K (m) value of 13.2 nmol/min/mg and 34.3 mu M, respectively, for histone III-S as substrate. Maximum autophosphorylation was seen only in the presence of calcium. Optimum temperature for autophosphorylation was found to be 37 A degrees C. The recombinant protein showed optimum pH range of 6-9. The role of autophosphorylation in substrate phosphorylation was investigated using histone III-S as exogenous substrate. Our results show that autophosphorylation happens before substrate phosphorylation and it happens via intra-molecular mechanism as the activity linearly depends on enzyme concentrations. Autophosphorylation enhances the kinase activity and reduces the lag phase of activation, and CaCDPK1 can utilize both ATP and GTP as phosphodonor but ATP is preferred than GTP.

Tradeoff of average power and average delay for a point-to-point link with fading

We consider a discrete time system with packets arriving randomly at rate lambda per slot to a fading point-to-point link, for which the transmitter can control the number of packets served in a slot by varying the transmit power. We provide an asymptotic characterization of the minimum average delay of the packets, when average transmitter power is a small positive quantity V more than the minimum average power required for queue stability. We show that the minimum average delay will grow either as log (1/V) or 1/V when V down arrow 0, for certain sets of values of lambda. These sets are determined by the distribution of fading gain, the maximum number of packets which can be transmitted in a slot, and the assumed transmit power function, as a function of the fading gain and the number of packets transmitted. We identify a case where the above behaviour of the tradeoff differs from that obtained from a previously considered model, in which the random queue length process is assumed to evolve on the non-negative real line.

Scale-dependent relationships between tree species richness and ecosystem function in forests

1. The relationship between species richness and ecosystem function, as measured by productivity or biomass, is of long-standing theoretical and practical interest in ecology. This is especially true for forests, which represent a majority of global biomass, productivity and biodiversity. 2. Here, we conduct an analysis of relationships between tree species richness, biomass and productivity in 25 forest plots of area 8-50ha from across the world. The data were collected using standardized protocols, obviating the need to correct for methodological differences that plague many studies on this topic. 3. We found that at very small spatial grains (0.04ha) species richness was generally positively related to productivity and biomass within plots, with a doubling of species richness corresponding to an average 48% increase in productivity and 53% increase in biomass. At larger spatial grains (0.25ha, 1ha), results were mixed, with negative relationships becoming more common. The results were qualitatively similar but much weaker when we controlled for stem density: at the 0.04ha spatial grain, a doubling of species richness corresponded to a 5% increase in productivity and 7% increase in biomass. Productivity and biomass were themselves almost always positively related at all spatial grains. 4. Synthesis. This is the first cross-site study of the effect of tree species richness on forest biomass and productivity that systematically varies spatial grain within a controlled methodology. The scale-dependent results are consistent with theoretical models in which sampling effects and niche complementarity dominate at small scales, while environmental gradients drive patterns at large scales. Our study shows that the relationship of tree species richness with biomass and productivity changes qualitatively when moving from scales typical of forest surveys (0.04ha) to slightly larger scales (0.25 and 1ha). This needs to be recognized in forest conservation policy and management.

Solving MIN ONES 2-SAT as fast as VERTEX COVER

The problem of finding a satisfying assignment that minimizes the number of variables that are set to 1 is NP-complete even for a satisfiable 2-SAT formula. We call this problem MIN ONES 2-SAT. It generalizes the well-studied problem of finding the smallest vertex cover of a graph, which can be modeled using a 2-SAT formula with no negative literals. The natural parameterized version of the problem asks for a satisfying assignment of weight at most k. In this paper, we present a polynomial-time reduction from MIN ONES 2-SAT to VERTEX COVER without increasing the parameter and ensuring that the number of vertices in the reduced instance is equal to the number of variables of the input formula. Consequently, we conclude that this problem also has a simple 2-approximation algorithm and a 2k - c logk-variable kernel subsuming (or, in the case of kernels, improving) the results known earlier. Further, the problem admits algorithms for the parameterized and optimization versions whose runtimes will always match the runtimes of the best-known algorithms for the corresponding versions of vertex cover. Finally we show that the optimum value of the LP relaxation of the MIN ONES 2-SAT and that of the corresponding VERTEX COVER are the same. This implies that the (recent) results of VERTEX COVER version parameterized above the optimum value of the LP relaxation of VERTEX COVER carry over to the MIN ONES 2-SAT version parameterized above the optimum of the LP relaxation of MIN ONES 2-SAT. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

SEP-optimal antenna selection for average interference constrained underlay cognitive radios

In the underlay mode of cognitive radio, secondary users can transmit when the primary is transmitting, but under tight interference constraints, which limit the secondary system performance. Antenna selection (AS)-based multiple antenna techniques, which require less hardware and yet exploit spatial diversity, help improve the secondary system performance. In this paper, we develop the optimal transmit AS rule that minimizes the symbol error probability (SEP) of an average interference-constrained secondary system that operates in the underlay mode. We show that the optimal rule is a non-linear function of the power gains of the channels from secondary transmit antenna to primary receiver and secondary transmit antenna to secondary receive antenna. The optimal rule is different from the several ad hoc rules that have been proposed in the literature. We also propose a closed-form, tractable variant of the optimal rule and analyze its SEP. Several results are presented to compare the performance of the closed-form rule with the ad hoc rules, and interesting inter-relationships among them are brought out.

Plant latex mediated green synthesis of ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1-9 mol%) nanophosphor for white light generation

ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1-9 mol%) nanophosphors were synthesized by a simple, cost effective and environmental friendly route using Euphorbia tirucalli plant latex. The structural properties and morphological features of the phosphors were well studied by PXRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM measurements. The luminescent properties of ZnAl2O4:Dy3+ (1-9 mol%) nanophosphors were investigated from the excitation and emission spectra. The phosphor performance was evaluated by color co-ordinates. The values were well located in the near white region as a result it was highly useful for the fabrication of green component in WLEDs. The average particle size was found to be similar to 9-18 nm and same was confirmed by TEM and Scherrer's method. The highest photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) intensity was obtained to be similar to 7 mol% Dy3+ concentration. A single TL glow peak was recorded at 172 degrees C at a warming rate of 2.5 degrees Cs (1). The intensity at 172 degrees C peak increases linearly up to 1 kGy and after that it diminishes. PL intensity was studied with different plant latex concentration (2-8 ml) and highest PL intensity was recorded for similar to 8 ml. The optimized phosphor showed good reusability, low fading and wide range of linearity with gamma-dose hence the phosphor was quite useful in radiation dosimetry. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative Evaluation of Switching and Average Models of a DC-DC Boost Converter for Real-Time Simulation

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the average and switching models of a dc-dc boost converter from the point of view of real-time simulation. Both the models are used to simulate the converter in real-time on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. The converter is considered to function over a wide range of operating conditions, and could do transition between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). While the average model is known to be computationally efficient from the perspective of off-line simulation, the same is shown here to consume more logical resources than the switching model for real-time simulation of the dc-dc converter. Further, evaluation of the boundary condition between CCM and DCM is found to be the main reason for the increased consumption of resources by the average model.

Zero-Sum Stochastic Games with Partial Information and Average Payoff

We consider a discrete time partially observable zero-sum stochastic game with average payoff criterion. We study the game using an equivalent completely observable game. We show that the game has a value and also we present a pair of optimal strategies for both the players.

Average Modelling of a Voltage Source Inverter with Dead-Time in a Synchronous Reference Frame

Voltage source inverters are an integral part of renewable power sources and smart grid systems. Computationally efficient and fairly accurate models for the voltage source inverter are required to carry out extensive simulation studies on complex power networks. Accuracy requires that the effect of dead-time be incorporated in the inverter model. The dead-time is essentially a short delay introduced between the gating pulses to the complementary switches in an inverter leg for the safety of power devices. As the modern voltage source inverters switch at fairly high frequencies, the dead-time significantly influences the output fundamental voltage. Dead-time also causes low-frequency harmonic distortion and is hence important from a power quality perspective. This paper studies the dead-time effect in a synchronous dq reference frame, since dynamic studies and controller design are typically carried out in this frame of reference. For the sake of computational efficiency, average models are derived, incorporating the dead-time effect, in both RYB and dq reference frames. The average models are shown to consume less computation time than their corresponding switching models, the accuracies of the models being comparable. The proposed average synchronous reference frame model, including effect of dead-time, is validated through experimental results.

Morphology controlled synthesis of wurtzite ZnS nanostructures through simple hydrothermal method and observation of white light emission from ZnO obtained by annealing the synthesized ZnS nanostructures

A controllable synthesis of phase pure wurtzite (WZ) ZnS nanostructures has been reported in this work at a low temperature of similar to 220 degrees C using ethylenediamine as the soft template and by varying the molar concentration of zinc to sulphur precursors as well as by using different precursors. A significant reduction in the formation temperature required for the synthesis of phase pure WZ ZnS has been observed. A strong correlation has been observed between the morphology of the synthesized ZnS nanostructures and the precursors used during synthesis. It has been found from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image analyses that the morphology of the ZnS nanocrystals changes from a block-like to a belt-like structure having an average length of similar to 450 nm when the molar ratio of zinc to sulphur source is increased from 1 : 1 to 1 : 3. An oriented attachment (OA) growth mechanism has been used to explain the observed shape evolution of the synthesized nanostructures. The synthesized nanostructures have been characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique as well as by UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The as-synthesized nanobelts exhibit defect related visible PL emission. On isochronal annealing of the nanobelts in air in the temperature range of 100-600 degrees C, it has been found that white light emission with a Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage 1931 (CIE) chromaticity coordinate of (0.30, 0.34), close to that of white light (0.33, 0.33), can be obtained from the ZnO nanostructures obtained at an annealing temperature of 600 degrees C. UV light driven degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye aqueous solution has also been demonstrated using as-synthesized nanobelts and similar to 98% dye degradation has been observed within only 40 min of light irradiation. The synthesized nanobelts with visible light emission and having dye degradation activity can be used effectively in future optoelectronic devices and in water purification for cleaning of dyes.