Showing papers by "Indian Institute of Science published in 2003"

Aluminium matrix composites: Challenges and opportunities

Abstract: Aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) refer to the class of light weight high performance aluminium centric material systems. The reinforcement in AMCs could be in the form of continuous/discontinuous fibres, whisker or particulates, in volume fractions ranging from a few percent to 70%. Properties of AMCs can be tailored to the demands of different industrial applications by suitable combinations of matrix, reinforcement and processing route. Presently several grades of AMCs are manufactured by different routes. Three decades of intensive research have provided a wealth of new scientific knowledge on the intrinsic and extrinsic effects of ceramic reinforcement vis-a-vis physical, mechanical, thermo-mechanical and tribological properties of AMCs. In the last few years, AMCs have been utilised in high-tech structural and functional applications including aerospace, defence, automotive, and thermal management areas, as well as in sports and recreation. It is interesting to note that research on particle-reinforced cast AMCs took root in India during the 70’s, attained industrial maturity in the developed world nd is currently in the process of joining the mainstream of materials. This paper presents an overview of AMC material ystems on aspects relating to processing, icrostructure, roperties and applications.

A nomenclature for restriction enzymes, DNA methyltransferases, homing endonucleases and their genes

Abstract: A nomenclature is described for restriction endonucleases, DNA methyltransferases, homing endonucleases and related genes and gene products. It provides explicit categories for the many different Type II enzymes now identified and provides a system for naming the putative genes found by sequence analysis of microbial genomes.

Carbon Nanotube Flow Sensors

Abstract: We report that the flow of a liquid on single-walled carbon nanotube bundles induces a voltage in the sample along the direction of the flow. The voltage that was produced fit a logarithmic velocity dependence over nearly six decades of velocity. The magnitude of the voltage depended sensitively on the ionic conductivity and on the polar nature of the liquid. Our measurements suggest that the dominant mechanism responsible for this highly nonlinear response involves a direct forcing of the free charge carriers in the nanotubes by the fluctuating Coulombic field of the liquid flowing past the nanotubes. We propose an explanation based on pulsating asymmetric ratchets. Our work highlights the device potential for nanotubes as sensitive flow sensors and for energy conversion.

Full-diversity, high-rate space-time block codes from division algebras

Abstract: We present some general techniques for constructing full-rank, minimal-delay, rate at least one space-time block codes (STBCs) over a variety of signal sets for arbitrary number of transmit antennas using commutative division algebras (field extensions) as well as using noncommutative division algebras of the rational field /spl Qopf/ embedded in matrix rings. The first half of the paper deals with constructions using field extensions of /spl Qopf/. Working with cyclotomic field extensions, we construct several families of STBCs over a wide range of signal sets that are of full rank, minimal delay, and rate at least one appropriate for any number of transmit antennas. We study the coding gain and capacity of these codes. Using transcendental extensions we construct arbitrary rate codes that are full rank for arbitrary number of antennas. We also present a method of constructing STBCs using noncyclotomic field extensions. In the later half of the paper, we discuss two ways of embedding noncommutative division algebras into matrices: left regular representation, and representation over maximal cyclic subfields. The 4/spl times/4 real orthogonal design is obtained by the left regular representation of quaternions. Alamouti's (1998) code is just a special case of the construction using representation over maximal cyclic subfields and we observe certain algebraic uniqueness characteristics of it. Also, we discuss a general principle for constructing cyclic division algebras using the nth root of a transcendental element and study the capacity of the STBCs obtained from this construction. Another family of cyclic division algebras discovered by Brauer (1933) is discussed and several examples of STBCs derived from each of these constructions are presented.

A simple and efficient algorithm for gene selection using sparse logistic regression.

Abstract: Motivation: This paper gives a new and efficient algorithm for the sparse logistic regression problem. The proposed algorithm is based on the Gauss–Seidel method and is asymptotically convergent. It is simple and extremely easy to implement; it neither uses any sophisticated mathematical programming software nor needs any matrix operations. It can be applied to a variety of real-world problems like identifying marker genes and building a classifier in the context of cancer diagnosis using microarray data. Results: The gene selection method suggested in this paper is demonstrated on two real- world data sets and the results were found to be consistent with the literature. Availability: The implementation of this algorithm is available at the site http://guppy.mpe.nus.edu.sg/~mpessk/SparseLOGREG.shtml Contact: mpessk@nus.edu.sg Supplementary Information: Supplementary material is available at the site http://guppy.mpe.nus.edu.sg/~mpessk/SparseLOGREG.shtml

Processing Maps: A Status Report

Abstract: In the last two decades, processing maps have been developed on a wide variety of materials including metals and alloys, metal matrix composites, and aluminides, and applied to optimizing hot workability of materials and for process design in bulk metal working. Processing maps consist of a superimposition of efficiency of power dissipation and the instability maps, the former revealing the "safe" domain for processing and the latter setting the limits for avoiding undesirable microstructures. The dynamic materials model, which forms the basis for processing maps, is discussed in relation to other materials models. The application of dynamical systems principles to understanding of deterministic chaos in the system will help in achieving a greater degree of microstructural control during processing. The patterns in the hot working behavior as revealed by the processing maps of several classes of alloys relevant to technology are reviewed briefly. Processing maps have also been applied to analyze several industrial problems including process optimization, product property control, and defect avoidance, and a few examples are listed. With the processing maps reaching a matured stage as an effective tool for optimizing materials workability, expert systems and artificial neural network models are being developed to aid and prompt novice engineers to design and optimize metal processing without the immediate availability of a domain expert, and the directions of research in this area are outlined.

Photocatalytic degradation of various dyes by combustion synthesized nano anatase TiO2

Abstract: The 8–10 nm pure anatase phase titania with $156 m^2/g$ BET surface area was prepared by solution combustion method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and BET surface area. This catalyst was used for the photocatalytic degradation of various dyes such as heteropolyaromatic dye (Methylene blue), anthraquinonic dye (Alizarin S), and azoic dyes (Methyl red, Congo red, and Orange G). The effect of catalyst loading, initial concentrations of the dyes, pH, and transition metal doping on $TiO_2$ was investigated. Substitution of $TiO_2$ with transition metal had a detrimental effect on the photocatalytic activity. However, this inhibition effect was not observed with Pt impregnated $TiO_2$. This was attributed to the metals being in ionic state in metal substituted $TiO_2$ synthesized by combustion method, and zero state of metal in impregnated catalysts as evidenced by XPS study. The degradation of dyes was also investigated in solar exposure. The photoactivity of the combustion synthesized titania was higher than commercial $TiO_2$(Degussa P-25) for both UV and solar exposure. The experimental data followed Langmuir–Hinshelwood (L–H) rate form and the kinetic parameters were obtained.

Divisible Load Theory: A New Paradigm for Load Scheduling in Distributed Systems

Abstract: Divisible load theory is a methodology involving the linear and continuous modeling of partitionable computation and communication loads for parallel processing. It adequately represents an important class of problems with applications in parallel and distributed system scheduling, various types of data processing, scientific and engineering computation, and sensor networks. Solutions are surprisingly tractable. Research in this area over the past decade is described.

First-principles indicators of metallicity and cation off-centricity in the IV-VI rocksalt chalcogenides of divalent Ge, Sn, and Pb

Abstract: We use first-principles density functional theory to calculate the phonon frequencies, electron localization lengths, Born effective charges, dielectric response, and conventional electronic structures of the IV-VI chalcogenide series. The goals of our work are twofold: first, to determine the detailed chemical composition of lone pairs and, second, to identify the factors that cause lone pairs to favor high- or low-symmetry environments. Our results show that the traditional picture of cation s-p mixing causing localization of the lone pair lobe is incomplete, and instead the p states on the anion also play an important role. In addition these compounds reveal a delicate balance between two competing instabilities-structural distortion and tendency to metallicity-leading, at the same time, to anomalously large Born effective charges as well as large dielectric constants. The magnitude of the LO-TO splitting, which depends on the relative strength of both instabilities, shows a trend consistent with the structural distortions in these compounds.

Ionic dispersion of Pt over CeO2 by the combustion method: Structural investigation by XRD, TEM, XPS, and EXAFS

Abstract: The structure and chemical nature of Pt in combustion-synthesized $Pt/CeO_2$ catalysts have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) Catalytic oxidation of CO over $Pt/CeO_2$ is correlated with its structure High-resolution XRD studies show that the structure could be refined for the composition of $Ce_1_-_xPt_xO_2_-_\delta $ in the fluorite structure with 6% oxide ion vacancy TEM images show very few Pt particles on the $CeO_2$ crystallite surface in as-prepared samples and a decrease in the density of Pt metal particles is observed on heating XPS studies demonstrate that Pt is dispersed mostly in +2(72%) and +4(21%) oxidation states on $CeO_2$, whereas only 7% is present as Pt metal particles On heat treatment, $Pt^2^+$ species increase at the cost of $Pt^4^+$ ions EXAFS studies show the average coordination number of 13 around the platinum ion in the first shell of 1% $Pt/CeO_2$ at a distance of 198 A, indicating oxide ion vacancy around the platinum ion On heating, the average oxygen coordination of Pt and oxygen increases to 23 The second shell at 297 A is due to Pt-Pt coordination, which is absent in $PtO_2$ and PtO The third shell at 328 A is not observed either in Pt metal or any of the platinum oxides, which could be attributed to $Pt^2^+-Ce^4^+$ correlation Thus, $Pt/CeO_2$ forms a $Ce_1_-_xPt_xO_2_-_\delta $ type of solid solution having $-0-Pt^2^+-O-Ce^4^+-$ kinds of linkages

Active nematics on a substrate: Giant number fluctuations and long-time tails

Abstract: We construct the equations of motion for the coupled dynamics of order parameter and concentration for the nematic phase of driven particles on a solid surface, and show that they imply i) giant number fluctuations, with a standard deviation proportional to the mean in dimension d = 2 of primary relevance to experiment, and ii) long-time tails $\sim t^{-d/2}$in the autocorrelation of the particle velocities despite the absence of a hydrodynamic velocity field. Our predictions can be tested in experiments on aggregates of amoeboid cells as well as on layers of agitated granular matter.

Peristaltic transport of a Newtonian fluid in an asymmetric channel

Abstract: Peristaltic transport of an incompressible viscous fluid in an asymmetric channel is studied under long-wavelength and low-Reynolds number assumptions. The channel asymmetry is produced by choosing the peristaltic wave train on the walls to have different amplitudes and phase. The flow is investigated in a wave frame of reference moving with velocity of the wave. The effects of phase difference, varying channel width and wave amplitudes on the pumping characteristics, streamline pattern, trapping, and reflux phenomena are investigated. The limits on the time averaged flux for trapping and reflux are obtained. It is observed that the pumping against pressure rise, trapping and reflux layer exists only when cross-section of the channel varies. The peristaltic waves on the walls with same amplitude propagating in phase produce zero flux rate as the channel cross-section remains same through out. The trapping and reflux regions increase as the channel becomes more and more symmetric and the maximum occurs for the symmetric channel.

Structural and doping effects in the half-metallic double perovskite A 2 CrWO 6 (A=Sr, Ba, and Ca)

Abstract: The structural, transport, magnetic, and optical properties of the double perovskite A2CrWO6 with A = Sr,Ba,Ca have been studied. By varying the alkaline earth ion on the A site, the influence of steric effects on the Curie temperature TC and the saturation magnetization has been determined. A maximum TC = 458 K was found for Sr2CrWO6 having an almost undistorted perovskite structure with a tolerance factor f~1. For Ca2CrWO6 and Ba2CrWO6 structural changes result in a strong reduction of TC. Our study strongly suggests that for the double perovskites in general an optimum TC is achieved only for f~1, that is, for an undistorted perovskite structure. Electron doping in Sr2CrWO6 by a partial substitution of Sr2+ by La3+ was found to reduce both TC and the saturation magnetization Ms. The reduction of Ms could be attributed both to band structure effects and the Cr/W antisites induced by doping. Band structure calculations for Sr2CrWO6 predict an energy gap in the spin-up band, but a finite density of states for the spin-down band. The predictions of the band structure calculation are consistent with our optical measurements. Our experimental results support the presence of a kinetic energy driven mechanism in A2CrWO6, where ferromagnetism is stabilized by a hybridization of states of the nonmagnetic W site positioned in between the high spin Cr sites.

Promoting Effect of CeO2 in Combustion Synthesized Pt/CeO2 Catalyst for CO Oxidation

Abstract: A 1% Pt/CeO2 catalyst prepared by the solution combustion method shows a higher catalytic activity for CO oxidation by O2 compared to Pt metal particles. At least six hydrogen atoms are taken up per Pt at −25 °C. The structure of 1% Pt/CeO2 catalyst has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Rietveld refinement shows that Pt ions are incorporated into the CeO2 matrix in the form of Ce1-xPtxO2-δ solid solution. A decrease in oxygen content in 1% Pt/CeO2 is seen in relation to pure CeO2. TEM studies show that Pt is dispersed as atoms or ions and only a small amount as Pt metal particles. The Pt(4f) core level region in XPS shows that Pt is present mostly in the Pt2+ ionic state on CeO2 surface. FTIR of 1% Pt/CeO2 shows a strongly adsorbed CO peak at 2082 cm-1 corresponding to oxidized Pt. These structural studies show that Pt ions in the catalyst are substituted for Ce4+...

Wavelet-based denoising of partial discharge signals buried in excessive noise and interference

Abstract: Achieving acceptable levels of sensitivity during online and/or onsite partial discharge (PD) measurements still continues to remain a very challenging task, primarily due to strong coupling of external (random, discrete spectral and stochastic pulsive) interferences. Many analog and digital approaches have been proposed for suppressing these interferences, and amongst these, rejection of the pulsive type of interferences is known to be very difficult, if not impossible. The time and frequency characteristics of the pulsive interference being very similar to that of the PD pulses is the main reason posing difficulty in their separation. In this paper, a novel, semi-automatic, and empirical wavelet-based method (using multi-resolution signal analysis) is proposed to recover PD pulses, buried in excessive noise/interference comprising of random, discrete spectral, pulsive, and any combination of these interferences occurring simultaneously and overlapping-in-time with the PD pulses. A critical assessment of the proposed method is carried out, by processing both simulated and practically acquired PD signals. The results obtained are also compared with those from the best digital filter (infinite impulse response, IIR and finite impulse response, FIR) method proposed in literature. From the results it emerges that, the wavelet approach is superior and further, has the unique capability of successfully rejecting all the three kinds of interferences, even when PD signals and one or all interferences occur simultaneously and overlap-in-time.

Ternary Copper Complexes for Photocleavage of DNA by Red Light: Direct Evidence for Sulfur-to-Copper Charge Transfer and d-d Band Involvement

Abstract: A new class of ternary copper(II) complexes of formulation $[Cu(L^n)B](ClO_4)$ (1-4), where $HL^n$ is a NSO-donor Schiff base $(HL^1, HL^2)$ and B is a NN-donor heterocyclic base viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), are prepared, structurally characterized, and their DNA binding and photocleavage activities studied in the presence of red light. Ternary complex $[Cu(L^3)(phen)](ClO_4)$ (5) containing an ONO-donor Schiff base and a binary complex $[Cu(L^2)_2]$ (6) are also prepared and structurally characterized for mechanistic investigations of the DNA cleavage reactions. While 1-4 have a square pyramidal (4 + 1) $CuN_3OS$ coordination geometry with the Schiff base bonded at the equatorial sites, 5 has a square pyramidal (4 + 1) geometry with $CuN_3O_2$ coordination with the alcoholic oxygen at the axial site, and 6 has a square planar trans-$CuN_2O_2$ geometry. Binding of the complexes 1-4 to calf thymus DNA shows the relative order: phen >> dmp. Mechanistic investigations using distamycin reveal minor groove binding for the complexes. The phen complexes containing the Schiff base with a thiomethyl or thiophenyl moiety show red light induced photocleavage. The dmp complexes are essentially photonuclease inactive. Complexes 5 and 6 are cleavage inactive under similar photolytic conditions. A $10 \mu M$ solution of 1 displays a 72% cleavage of SC DNA $(0.5 \mu g)$ on an exposure of 30 min using a 603 nm Nd:YAG pulsed laser (60 mJ/P) in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2). Significant cleavage of 1 is also observed at 694 nm using a Ruby laser. Complex 1 is cleavage inactive under argon or nitrogen atmosphere. It shows a more enhanced cleavage in pure oxygen than in air. Enhancement of cleavage in $D_2O$ and inhibition with sodium azide addition indicate the possibility of the formation of singlet oxygen as a reactive intermediate leading to DNA cleavage. The d-d band excitation with red light shows significant enhancement of cleavage yield. The results indicate that the phen ligand is necessary for DNA binding of the complex. Both the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band and copper d-d band excitations helped the DNA cleavage. While the absorption of a red photon induces a metal d-d transition, excitation at shorter visible wavelengths leads to the sulfur-to-copper charge transfer band excitation at the initial step of photocleavage. The excitation energy is subsequently transferred to ground state oxygen molecules to produce singlet oxygen that cleaves the DNA.

Clustering of synoptic activity by Indian summer monsoon intraseasonal oscillations

Abstract: [1] Active and break phases of the Indian summer monsoon are characterized by enhancement and decrease of precipitation over the monsoon trough region. Using genesis data of monsoon low pressure systems (LPS) and circulation data for the period 1954 to 1993, it is shown that the frequency of occurrence of LPS is nearly 3.5 times higher in the active phase of monsoon as compared to the break phase. In addition, the tracks of these synoptic systems are also strongly spatially clustered along the monsoon trough during the active phase of the monsoon. The enhanced (decreased) frequency of occurrence of LPS during active (break) phases is due to modulation of meridional shear of zonal winds and cyclonic vorticity along the monsoon trough by the intraseasonal oscillations (ISO).

A glossary of DNA structures from A to Z.

Abstract: The right-handed double-helical Watson-Crick model for B-form DNA is the most commonly known DNA structure. In addition to this classic structure, several other forms of DNA have been observed and it is clear that the DNA molecule can assume different structures depending on the base sequence and environment. The various forms of DNA have been identified as A, B, C etc. In fact, a detailed inspection of the literature reveals that only the letters F, Q, U, V and Y are now available to describe any new DNA structure that may appear in the future. It is also apparent that it may be more relevant to talk about the A, B or C type dinucleotide steps, since several recent structures show mixtures of various different geometries and a careful analysis is essential before identifying it as a 'new structure'. This review provides a glossary of currently identified DNA structures and is quite timely as it outlines the present understanding of DNA structure exactly 50 years after the original discovery of DNA structure by Watson and Crick

Phytoplankton bloom in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon and its intensification by cyclones

Abstract: [1] Satellite derived chlorophyll a imageries are used to present a phytoplankton bloom in the Bay of Bengal during the northeast monsoon (November-February) and the mechanisms that can upwell nutrients to sustain the bloom are investigated using sea level anomalies and winds. OCTS and SeaWiFS chlorophyll a images show that there is a phytoplankton bloom in the southwestern part of the bay during November-January. The chlorophyll a concentration of the bloom can be as high as 2 mg m(-3) compared to near zero value before the bloom. Open ocean upwelling driven by Ekman pumping causes the bloom. The cyclones which are common during this period lead to localized intense blooms in the western Bay of Bengal. The offshore extent and the intensity of the bloom varies from year to year. The bloom was absent during 1997 due to weak Ekman pumping.

On breaks of the Indian monsoon

Abstract: For over a century, the term break has been used for spells in which the rainfall over the Indian monsoon zone is interrupted. The phenomenon of ’break monsoon’ is of great interest because long intense breaks are often associated with poor monsoon seasons. Such breaks have distinct circulation characteristics (heat trough type circulation) and have a large impact on rainfed agriculture. Although interruption of the monsoon rainfall is considered to be the most important feature of the break monsoon, traditionally breaks have been identified on the basis of the surface pressure and wind patterns over the Indian region. We have defined breaks (and active spells) on the basis of rainfall over the monsoon zone. The rainfall criteria are chosen so as to ensure a large overlap with the traditional breaks documented by Ramamurthy (1969) and Deet al (1998). We have identified these rainbreaks for 1901-89. We have also identified active spells on the basis of rainfall over the Indian monsoon zone. We have shown that the all-India summer monsoon rainfall is significantly negatively correlated with the number of rainbreak days (correlation coefficient -0.56) and significantly positively correlated with the number of active days (correlation coefficient 0.47). Thus the interannual variation of the all-India summer monsoon rainfall is shown to be related to the number of days of rainbreaks and active spells identified here. There have been several studies of breaks (and also active spells in several cases) identified on the basis of different criteria over regions differing in spatial scales (e.g., Websteret al 1998; Krishnanet al it 2000; Goswami and Mohan 2000; and Annamalai and Slingo 2001). We find that there is considerable overlap between the rainbreaks we have identified and breaks based on the traditional definition. There is some overlap with the breaks identified by Krishnanet al (2000) but little overlap with breaks identified by Websteret al (1998). Further, there are three or four active-break cycles in a season according to Websteret al (1998) which implies a time scale of about 40 days for which Goswami and Mohan (2000), and Annamalai and Slingo (2001) have studied breaks and active minus break fluctuations. On the other hand, neither the traditional breaks (Ramamurthy 1969; and Deet al 1998) nor the rainbreaks occur every year. This suggests that the `breaks’ in these studies are weak spells of the intraseasonal variation of the monsoon, which occur every year. We have derived the OLR and circulation patterns associated with rainbreaks and active spells and compared them with the patterns associated with breaks/active minus break spells from these studies. Inspite of differences in the patterns over the Indian region, there is one feature which is seen in the OLR anomaly patterns of breaks identified on the basis of different criteria as well as the rainbreaks identified in this paper viz., a quadrapole over the Asia-west Pacific region arising from anomalies opposite (same) in sign to those over the Indian region occurring over the equatorial Indian Ocean and northern tropical (equatorial) parts of the west Pacific. Thus it appears that this quadrapole is a basic feature of weak spells of the intraseasonal variation over the Asia-west Pacific region. Since the rainbreaks are intense weak spells, this basic feature is also seen in the composite patterns of these breaks. We find that rainbreaks (active spells) are also associated with negative

SUSY Les Houches Accord: Interfacing SUSY Spectrum Calculators, Decay Packages, and Event Generators

Abstract: An accord specifying a unique set of conventions for supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model together with generic file structures for 1) supersymmetric model specifications and input parameters, 2) electroweak scale supersymmetric mass and coupling spectra, and 3) decay tables is defined, to provide a universal interface between spectrum calculation programs, decay packages, and high energy physics event generators.