Studies On Preparation And Characterization Of Hts Current Leads Using Multifilamentary Ag And Ag-Alloy Sheathed (Bi,Pb)-2223 Superconducting Tapes

The application vistas of superconductors have widened very much since the discovery of high TC superconductors (HTS) as many of the applications can be realised at 77 K rather than going down to 4.2 K, the liquid He temperature. One such application is the HTS current lead which is used to connect a superconducting system with a room temperature power source. Minimising heat leak to the cryogenic environment is the main advantage of introducing current leads into superconducting systems. The properties of HTSS likes zero resistance (avoiding joule heating) and very low thermal conductivity (minimized conductive heat transfer) make them ideal candidates to be used as current leads. There are two forms of HTS current leads. (i) bulk form (tube or rod) prepared either from YBCO or BSCCO and (ii) tape form prepared from Bi-2223 multifilamentary tapes. The tape form of current leads has many advantages with respect to the mechanical and thermal stability related criteria. Crucial information on various aspects of HTS current lead development are not available in the literature as those are kept proprietary by various companies around the world. The present work has been undertaken to tailor the properties of multifilamentary tapes for the current lead application and to optimise the processing parameters of the same for enhanced critical current density and field tolerance. Also it is the aim of the present investigation is to prepare prototype current leads engineered for operation in conduction cooled mode and test them for operational stability

Recognition of sequence-information in synthetic copolymer chains by a conformationally-constrained tweezer molecule

A novel type of tweezer molecule containing electron-rich 2-pyrenyloxy arms has been designed to exploit intramolecular hydrogen bonding in stabilising a preferred conformation for supramolecular complexation to complementary sequences in aromatic copolyimides. This tweezer-conformation is demonstrated by single-crystal X-ray analyses of the tweezer molecule itself and of its complex with an aromatic diimide model-compound. In terms of its ability to bind selectively to polyimide chains, the new tweezer molecule shows very high sensitivity to sequence effects. Thus, even low concentrations of tweezer relative to diimide units (<2.5 mol%) are sufficient to produce dramatic, sequence-related splittings of the pyromellitimide proton NMR resonances. These induced resonance-shifts arise from ring-current shielding of pyromellitimide protons by the pyrenyloxy arms of the tweezer-molecule, and the magnitude of such shielding is a function of the tweezer-binding constant for any particular monomer sequence. Recognition of both short-range and long-range sequences is observed, the latter arising from cumulative ring-current shielding of diimide protons by tweezer molecules binding at multiple adjacent sites on the copolymer chain.

Sterically controlled recognition of macromolecular sequence information by molecular tweezers

Sequence-specific binding is demonstrated between pyrene-based tweezer molecules and soluble, high molar mass copolyimides. The binding involves complementary pi - pi stacking interactions, polymer chain-folding, and hydrogen bonding and is extremely sensitive to the steric environment around the pyromellitimide binding-site. A detailed picture of the intermolecular interactions involved has been obtained through single-crystal X-ray studies of tweezer complexes with model diimides. Ring-current magnetic shielding of polyimide protons by the pyrene '' arms '' of the tweezer molecule induces large complexation shifts of the corresponding H-1 NMR resonances, enabling specific triplet sequences to be identified by their complexation shifts. Extended comonomer sequences (triplets of triplets in which the monomer residues differ only by the presence or absence of a methyl group) can be '' read '' by a mechanism which involves multiple binding of tweezer molecules to adjacent diimide residues within the copolymer chain. The adjacent-binding model for sequence recognition has been validated by two conceptually different sets of tweezer binding experiments. One approach compares sequence-recognition events for copolyimides having either restricted or unrestricted triple-triplet sequences, and the other makes use of copolymers containing both strongly binding and completely nonbinding diimide residues. In all cases the nature and relative proportions of triple-triplet sequences predicted by the adjacent-binding model are fully consistent with the observed H-1 NMR data.

Cyclic loss of open solar flux since 1868: the link to heliospheric current sheet tilt and implications for the Maunder Minimum

Open solar flux (OSF) variations can be described by the imbalance between source and loss terms. We use spacecraft and geomagnetic observations of OSF from 1868 to present and assume the OSF source, S, varies with the observed sunspot number, R. Computing the required fractional OSF loss, χ, reveals a clear solar cycle variation, in approximate phase with R. While peak R varies significantly from cycle to cycle, χ is surprisingly constant in both amplitude and waveform. Comparisons of χ with measures of heliospheric current sheet (HCS) orientation reveal a strong correlation. The cyclic nature of χ is exploited to reconstruct OSF back to the start of sunspot records in 1610. This agrees well with the available spacecraft, geomagnetic, and cosmogenic isotope observations. Assuming S is proportional to R yields near-zero OSF throughout the Maunder Minimum. However, χ becomes negative during periods of low R, particularly the most recent solar minimum, meaning OSF production is underestimated. This is related to continued coronal mass ejection (CME) activity, and therefore OSF production, throughout solar minimum, despite R falling to zero. Correcting S for this produces a better match to the recent solar minimum OSF observations. It also results in a cycling, nonzero OSF during the Maunder Minimum, in agreement with cosmogenic isotope observations. These results suggest that during the Maunder Minimum, HCS tilt cycled as over recent solar cycles, and the CME rate was roughly constant at the levels measured during the most recent two solar minima.

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of viper venom serine proteases

Snakebites are a major neglected tropical disease responsible for as many as 95000 deaths every year worldwide. Viper venom serine proteases disrupt haemostasis of prey and victims by affecting various stages of the blood coagulation system. A better understanding of their sequence, structure, function and phylogenetic relationships will improve the knowledge on the pathological conditions and aid in the development of novel therapeutics for treating snakebites. A large dataset for all available viper venom serine proteases was developed and analysed to study various features of these enzymes. Despite the large number of venom serine protease sequences available, only a small proportion of these have been functionally characterised. Although, they share some of the common features such as a C-terminal extension, GWG motif and disulphide linkages, they vary widely between each other in features such as isoelectric points, potential N-glycosylation sites and functional characteristics. Some of the serine proteases contain substitutions for one or more of the critical residues in catalytic triad or primary specificity pockets. Phylogenetic analysis clustered all the sequences in three major groups. The sequences with substitutions in catalytic triad or specificity pocket clustered together in separate groups. Our study provides the most complete information on viper venom serine proteases to date and improves the current knowledge on the sequence, structure, function and phylogenetic relationships of these enzymes. This collective analysis of venom serine proteases will help in understanding the complexity of envenomation and potential therapeutic avenues.

On the use of a time sequence of surface pressures in four-dimensional data assimilation

The possibility of using a time sequence of surface pressure observations in four-dimensional data assimilation is being investigated. It is shown that a linear multilevel quasi-geostrophic model can be updated successfully with surface data alone, provided the number of time levels are at least as many as the number of vertical levels. It is further demonstrated that current statistical analysis procedures are very inefficient to assimilate surface observations, and it is shown by numerical experiments that the vertical interpolation must be carried out using the structure of the most dominating baroclinic mode in order to obtain a satisfactory updating. Different possible ways towards finding a practical solution are being discussed.

Microcontroller-based peak current mode control using digital slope compensation

Microcontroller-based peak current mode control of a buck converter is investigated. The new solution uses a discrete time controller with digital slope compensation. This is implemented using only a single-chip microcontroller to achieve desirable cycle-by-cycle peak current limiting. The digital controller is implemented as a two-pole, two-zero linear difference equation designed using a continuous time model of the buck converter and a discrete time transform. Subharmonic oscillations are removed with digital slope compensation using a discrete staircase ramp. A 16 W hardware implementation directly compares analog and digital control. Frequency response measurements are taken and it is shown that the crossover frequency and expected phase margin of the digital control system match that of its analog counterpart.

Seasonal to interannual Arctic sea-ice predictability in current GCMs

We establish the first inter-model comparison of seasonal to interannual predictability of present-day Arctic climate by performing coordinated sets of idealized ensemble predictions with four state-of-the-art global climate models. For Arctic sea-ice extent and volume, there is potential predictive skill for lead times of up to three years, and potential prediction errors have similar growth rates and magnitudes across the models. Spatial patterns of potential prediction errors differ substantially between the models, but some features are robust. Sea-ice concentration errors are largest in the marginal ice zone, and in winter they are almost zero away from the ice edge. Sea-ice thickness errors are amplified along the coasts of the Arctic Ocean, an effect that is dominated by sea-ice advection. These results give an upper bound on the ability of current global climate models to predict important aspects of Arctic climate.

Temperature Dependence of the Intergranular Critical Current Density in Uniaxially Pressed Bi(1.65)Pb(0.35)Sr(2)Ca(2)Cu(3)O(10+delta) Samples

We have studied the normal and superconducting transport properties of Bi(1.65)Pb(0.35)Sr(2)Ca(2)Cu(3)O(10+delta) (Bi-2223) ceramic samples. Four samples, from the same batch, were prepared by the solid-state reaction method and pressed uniaxially at different compacting pressures, ranging from 90 to 250 MPa before the last heat treatment. From the temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, combined with current conduction models for cuprates, we were able to separate contributions arising from both the grain misalignment and microstructural defects. The behavior of the critical current density as a function of temperature at zero applied magnetic field, J (c) (T), was fitted to the relationship J (c) (T)ae(1-T/T (c) ) (n) , with na parts per thousand 2 in all samples. We have also investigated the behavior of the product J (c) rho (sr) , where rho (sr) is the specific resistance of the grain-boundary. The results were interpreted by considering the relation between these parameters and the grain-boundary angle, theta, with increasing the uniaxial compacting pressure. We have found that the above type of mechanical deformation improves the alignment of the grains. Consequently the samples exhibit an enhance in the intergranular properties, resulting in a decrease of the specific resistance of the grain-boundary and an increase in the critical current density.

A rotina de crianças de zero a dois anos na educação infantil e as especificidades infantis

In current upbringing production, children are often conceived as rightful subjects, and concrete and singular people, marked by specificities that schools must respect, mainly their personal wholeness, their care and attention needs, as well as their abilities to learn and produce culture. In the educational practices frame, routine is considered to have a definitive roll in time, space and activities structuring, as with actions and relations of subjects involved. In that perspective, this research aims to analyze routines of zero to two years old children in the upbringing context, relating to their childish specificities. Anchored in the qualitative approach, a Case Study was developed, according the procedures of daily routine observation and semi-structured interviews with six nursery teachers of CMEI Centro Municipal de Educação Infantil, Natal-RN, the research field. The data analysis was based in Speech Analysis principles. The teachers utterances regarding routine and it s roll in the frame revealed significances related to control/regulation of actions theirs and students aiming to streamline tasks; learning relative to routine itself, time and school practices. Thus, prospects of discipline and exercise of power of teachers over students surges, reducing their possibilities to participate. These conceptions reflect the daily routine of the kids and their teachers. By analyzing the methods of routine operation in the time/space/activities frame of CMEI, it was possible to perceive its homogenization of actions and rhythms, not only of the group s children, but the whole institution, which creates, many times, a controlling character that contains/prevents children s initiative. However, it was also possible to observe that in routine recesses, when it s relaxed, and other spaces, times and actions are provided, kids have the opportunity to experience and create different ways of action and relation with time, materials, other kids and teachers, being, as such, respected their specificities. We highlight the importance of reflections regarding routine in upbringing context, as to comprehend it s functions and the need for it s construction to take a multiple character that respects the plurality of situations and singularities of children as persons

Distinctively variable sequence-based nuclear DNA markers for multilocus phylogeography of the soybean- and rice-infecting fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The quadratic spinor Lagrangian, axial torsion current and generalizations

We show that the Einstein-Hilbert, the Einstein-Palatini, and the Holst actions can be derived from the Quadratic Spinor Lagrangian (QSL), when the three classes of Dirac spinor fields, under Lounesto spinor field classification, are considered. To each one of these classes, there corresponds an unique kind of action for a covariant gravity theory. In other words, it is shown to exist a one-to-one correspondence between the three classes of non-equivalent solutions of the Dirac equation, and Einstein-Hilbert, Einstein-Palatini, and Holst actions. Furthermore, it arises naturally, from Lounesto spinor field classification, that any other class of spinor field-Weyl, Majorana, flagpole, or flag-dipole spinor fields-yields a trivial (zero) QSL, up to a boundary term. To investigate this boundary term, we do not impose any constraint on the Dirac spinor field, and consequently we obtain new terms in the boundary component of the QSL. In the particular case of a teleparallel connection, an axial torsion one-form current density is obtained. New terms are also obtained in the corresponding Hamiltonian formalism. We then discuss how these new terms could shed new light on more general investigations.

Pair term in the electromagnetic current within the Front-Form dynamics: spin-0 case

The frame and scale dependence of the pair-term contribution to the electromagnetic form factor of a spin-zero composite system of two-fermions is studied within the Light Front. The form factor is evaluated from the plus-component of the current in the Breit frame, using for the first time a nonconstant, symmetric ansatz for the Bethe-Salpeter amplitude. The frame dependence is analyzed by allowing a nonvanishing plus component of the momentum transfer, while the dynamical scale is set by the masses of the constituents and by mass and size of the composite system. A transverse momentum distribution, associated with the Bethe-Salpeter amplitude, is introduced which allows to define strongly and weakly relativistic systems. In particular, for strongly relativistic systems, the pair term vanishes for the Drell-Yan condition, while is dominant for momentum transfer along the light-front direction. For a weakly relativistic system, fitted to the deuteron scale, the pair term is negligible up to momentum transfers of 1 (GeV/c)(2). A comparison with results obtained within the Front-Form Hamiltonian dynamics with a fixed number of constituents is also presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Light-front model of the kaon electromagnetic current

The kaon electromagnetic form factor is extracted from both components of the current: J(+) and J(-) with a pseudo-scalar coupling of the quarks to the meson. The pair production process does not contribute to J(+) in the Drell-Yan frame (q(+) = 0). However, the pair production process contribution is different from zero in J(-) and this contribution is necessary to keep the rotational symmetry properties of the current.

Universal zero-bias conductance through a quantum wire side-coupled to a quantum dot

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)