Photon temporal modes: a complete framework for quantum information science

Field-orthogonal temporal modes of photonic quantum states provide a new framework for quantum information science (QIS). They intrinsically span a high-dimensional Hilbert space and lend themselves to integration into existing single-mode fiber communication networks. We show that the three main requirements to construct a valid framework for QIS -- the controlled generation of resource states, the targeted and highly efficient manipulation of temporal modes and their efficient detection -- can be fulfilled with current technology. We suggest implementations of diverse QIS applications based on this complete set of building blocks.Comment: 17 pages, 13 figure

ADVANCED RECEIVER ARCHITECTURES IN RADIOFREQUENCY APPLICATIONS

The general principles of several types of receivers fall under the two main headings of TRF (tuned radio frequency)receivers, where the received signal is processed at the incoming frequency right up to the detector stage, and the superhet(supersonic heterodyne) receiver, where the incoming signal is translated (sometimes after some amplification at theincoming frequency) to an intermediate frequency for further processing. There are however, a number of variants of each ofthese two main types. Regeneration (‘reaction’ or ‘tickling’) may be applied in a TRF receiver, to increase both its sensitivityand selectivity. This may be carried to the stage where the RF amplifier actually oscillates – either continuously, so that thereceiver operates as a synchrodyne or homodyne, or intermittently, so that the receiver operates as a super-regenerativereceiver, both of which have been described previously. The synchrodyne or homodyne may be considered alternatively as asuperhet, where the IF (intermediate frequency) is 0 Hz. In this paper we present the new type of receiver architectureswhich work in radiofrequencies.Keywords: supersonic heterodyne, tuned radio frequency

Cellular and population plasticity of helper CD4(+) T cell responses

Vertebrates are constantly exposed to pathogens, and the adaptive immunity has most likely evolved to control and clear such infectious agents. CD4(+) T cells are the major players in the adaptive immune response to pathogens. Following recognition of pathogen-derived antigens naïve CD4(+) T cells differentiate into effectors which then control pathogen replication either directly by killing pathogen-infected cells or by assisting with generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) or pathogen-specific antibodies. Pathogen-specific effector CD4(+) T cells are highly heterogeneous in terms of cytokines they produce. Three major subtypes of effector CD4(+) T cells have been identified: T-helper 1 (Th1) cells producing IFN-γ and TNF-α, Th2 cells producing IL-4 and IL-10, and Th17 cells producing IL-17. How this heterogeneity is maintained and what regulates changes in effector T cell composition during chronic infections remains poorly understood. In this review we discuss recent advances in our understanding of CD4(+) T cell differentiation in response to microbial infections. We propose that a change in the phenotype of pathogen-specific effector CD4(+) T cells during chronic infections, for example, from Th1 to Th2 response as observed in Mycobactrium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection of ruminants, can be achieved by conversion of T cells from one effector subset to another (cellular plasticity) or due to differences in kinetics (differentiation, proliferation, death) of different effector T cell subsets (population plasticity). We also shortly review mathematical models aimed at describing CD4(+) T cell differentiation and outline areas for future experimental and theoretical research. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2013.0020

New Spectroscopic Observations of the Post-AGB Star V354Lac=IRAS22272+5435

The strongest absorption features with the lower-level excitation potentials $\chi_{\rm low}<1$ eV are found to be split in the high-resolution optical spectra of the post-AGB star V354 Lac taken in 2007--2008. Main parameters, T$_{eff}$=5650 K, $\log g$=0.2, $\xi_t$=5.0 km/s, and the abundances of 22 chemical elements in the star's atmosphere are found. The overabundance of the $s$-process chemical elements (Ba, La, Ce, Nd) in the star's atmosphere is partly due to the splitting of strong lines of the ions of these metals. The peculiarities of the spectrum in the wavelength interval containing the LiI $\lambda$ 6707 \AA{} line can be naturally explained only by taking the overabundances of the CeII and SmII heavy-metal ions into account. The best agreement with the synthetic spectrum is achieved assuming $\epsilon$(LiI)=2.0, $\epsilon$(CeII)=3.2, and $\epsilon$(SmII)=2.7. The velocity field both in the atmosphere and in the circumstellar envelope of V354 Lac remained stationary throughout the last 15 years of our observations.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

Nanoencapsulation of pesticides: Sustainable perspective in agriculture

The concern towards the increasing challenges of sustainable agriculture made the researchers towards significant technological development and innovations in recent years. In particular, Nanotechnology offers potential solutions to improve agricultural production assuring sustainability. The incorporation of nanotechnology as a means of nano pesticides delivers the pesticides appropriately i.e., targeted delivery of pesticides by lowering the indiscriminate use of conventional pesticides. The assets of a nanoencapsulated pesticide formulation are controlled releasing properties with enhanced solubility, specificity, permeability and stability. They provide in-built switches to control the release and subsequent availability of pesticides to be used effectively over a given period of time and their design enables them to resist the severe environmental processes such as leaching, evaporation, photolytic hydrolytic and microbial degradation over conventional pesticides. This review provides fundamental information to critically assess the significant role of nanotechnology for the encapsulation of pesticides. © 2020 Author(s)

Some theoretical models for solitary structures of boundary layer waves

International audienceSolitary electrostatic structures have been observed in and around auroral zone field lines at various altitudes ranging from close to the ionosphere, to the magnetopause low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) and cusp on the dayside, and to the plasma sheet boundary layer on the night-side. In this review, various models based on solitons/double layers and BGK modes or phase space holes are discussed in order to explain the characteristics of these solitary structures

UL-blockDAG : Unsupervised Learning based Consensus Protocol for Blockchain

In this paper, we propose a consensus protocol by considering the ledger as Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) called blockDAG instead of chain of blocks. We propose a two-step strategy for making the system robust to double-spend attacks. The first step is the graph clustering algorithm based on spectral graph theory for separating the blocks created by the non-cooperating miners (attacker) in the blockchain network followed by the second step-the ordering algorithm based on the topological ordering of the blockDAG using the references included in block header. The first step is an unsupervised learning classification of the vertices of a graph into two classes. The simulation results show that the proposed clustering Algorithm based consensus protocol counter-attack the attacker’s double-spending strategy by eliminating the attacker blocks created during attacking phase from the confirmed list of the blocks. In bitcoin’s longest chain rule protocol, the ledger takes the chain of blocks and it operates with the overestimation of the network’s end-to-end propagation delay which results in a low transaction throughput. Bitcoin protocol guarantees the security through longest chain rule but it suffers from the limited transaction scalability. The proposed consensus protocol works better for higher block creation rates in turn improves the transaction throughput without compromising the security of the blocks from double-spending attack. © 2020 IEE

Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus Rhynchosia: a comprehensive review

Main conclusion: The genus Rhynchosia is a rich source of natural compounds especially flavonoids and prenylated isoflavonoids. Further experimental studies on Rhynchosia members may be result new and novel secondary metabolites with potent biological activities. Abstract: Traditionally, medicinal plants have played a significant role on human life since ancient days. At present, natural compounds are the major source for the modern drug discovery owing to their therapeutic selectivity, minutest of side effects, inexpensive source and serve as lead molecules for the discovery of new drugs. Rhynchosia species (Fabaceae) are extensively circulated throughout the tropical and subtropical areas around the world. A few plants of this genus were used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, abortifacients, healing of wounds, hepatoprotective, remedial of boils, rheumatic pains and skin infections. The present review compiles traditional uses, isolated chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of Rhynchosia species. So far, in total, seventy-seven compounds were isolated from the genus Rhynchosia, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, flavan-3-ols, xanthones, biphenyls, simple polyphenols and sterols. It is interesting to note that the genus Rhynchosia is a rich source of C-glycosylflavonoids and prenylated isoflavonoids. Further, phytochemical and pharmacological studies on this genus are required since only few species have been investigated so far. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Building to Building Communication over Wireless Sensor Networks

The smartphone usage in the low-income sections of India, which form over 70% of the population, is relatively small in comparison to urban areas. Recent reports says that India’s mobile penetration is at 73% (up from 30% in 2009), fast catching up to the global average of 93%. India is the fastest growing country for mobile Internet users with the latest predictions at 20% growth every quarter. This growth is mainly driven by low-cost smartphones, which are particularly interesting due to their enhanced capabilities and potential to enable services for the masses. With the advent of affordable smart-phones (Rs 3,000 - Rs 10,000) designed for the Indian user from indigenous manufacturers such as Miromax, Karbonn, etc., more people are shifting to smartphones. Other factors contributing to this shift includes the fact that 98.9% of India currently has no access to fixed-line broadband connectivity options and industries like banking, retail, entertainment, health and education have begun to introduce compelling mobile services. Due to these factors, smartphone sales have begun to cannibalize the traditional feature phone market, while the overall market grew by 12% last year, the smartphone market grew by 229%. At this rate, the smartphone market will overtake feature phones in terms of number of units sold, by 2017