Closed Form Formulas for Distributed Circuit Model of Discontinuities in HTS Microstrip Transmission Lines

AbstractA distributed circuit model for different kinds of discontinuities in high temperature superconducting (HTS) microstrip transmission lines (TLs), is proposed. In each case, closed form formula for lumped element model is presented based on the configuration of the discontinuity and the characterizations of HTS microstrip TLs. These discontinuities consist of steps in width, open ends, gaps and 90-degree bends. In the case of normal conductor microstrip TLs there are a lot of numerical and analytical equations that can accurately model them, however those formulas are not efficient for HTS TLs. Thus modified relations are extracted utilizing the superconducting characterizations to obtain much more accurate formulas. Additionally temperature dependence of HTS TLs is considered in the relations. Moreover regarding the kinetic inductance in HTS TLs a closed form formula is proposed for characteristic impedance of HTS TLs. Furthermore correction factors based on fringe fields is used to optimize all formulas. Using these formulations can lead to modeling and analysis of some superconducting microwave devices such as resonators, microwave filters, couplers, etc. In contrast to EM analysis, using the distributed circuit model is much easier for analysis of HTS microwave devices. The accuracy of the proposed model is confirmed in comparison with some electromagnetic full-wave simulations. This full analytical approach shows great accuracy in this test case as well

Analytical distributed non-linear model for symmetric and asymmetric superconducting parallel-coupled microstrip lines

Abstract: Superconducting materials are known to produce intermodulation distortion and other non-linear effects. In microstrip structures, the non-linearity depends on the current distribution on the strip which is mainly determined by the geometrical structure of the device. The current distribution in superconducting parallel-coupled microstrip lines is computed by a numerical approach based on a three-dimensional finite element method. This computed current distribution is used to produce a non-linear circuit model for parallel-coupled superconducting lines. A numerical technique based on the harmonic balance approach is used for non-linear analysis of the proposed equivalent circuit. To validate the accuracy of the proposed model, the results of analysis of hairpin resonator superconducting band pass filters are compared with measured results. This proposed technique is useful for fast and efficient non-linear analysis of the superconducting microstrip coupled lines

Construction and Eukaryotic Expression of Recombinant Large Hepatitis Delta Antigen

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a subviral human pathogen that exploits host RNA editing activity to produce two essential forms of the sole viral protein, hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg). Editing at the amber/W site of HDV antigenomic RNA leads to the production of the large form (L-HDAg), which is required for RNA packaging. Methods: In this study, PCR-based site-directed mutagenesis by the overlap extension method was used to create the point mutation converting the small-HDAg (S-HDAg) stop codon to a tryptophan codon through three stages. Results: Sequencing confirmed the desirable mutation and integrity of the L-HDAg open reading frame. The amplicon was ligated into pcDNA3.1 and transfected to Huh7 and HEK 293 cell lines. Western blot analysis using enhanced chemiluminescence confirmed L-HDAg expression. The recombinant L-HDAg localized within the nuclei of cells as determined by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Conclusion: Because L-HDAg requires extensive post-translational modifications, the recombinant protein expressed in a mammalian system might be fully functional and applicable as a tool in HDV molecular studies, as well as in future vaccine research