Modeling charge transport in Swept Charge Devices for X-ray spectroscopy

We present the formulation of an analytical model which simulates charge transport in Swept Charge Devices (SCDs) to understand the nature of the spectral redistribution function (SRF). We attempt to construct the energy-dependent and position dependent SRF by modeling the photon interaction, charge cloud generation and various loss mechanisms viz., recombination, partial charge collection and split events. The model will help in optimizing event selection, maximize event recovery and improve spectral modeling for Chandrayaan-2 (slated for launch in 2014). A proto-type physical model is developed and the algorithm along with its results are discussed in this paper.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, Proc. SPIE 8453, High Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy

Improving the design approach to developing through-metal communications for use in subsea pipeline robots.

Vital inspection and repair operations on subsea pipelines usually involve pipe-bore robots, which must be controlled and monitored from outside the pipe. In many situations cables cannot be connected to the in-pipe robot and duplex wireless communication through pipe-wall is the only solution. Wireless power transmission (WPT) through pipe-wall has been considered to facilitate the required duplex communication. In WPT through subsea pipe-walls the conductive media (i.e.: stainless steel and seawater.) will significantly reduce the power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the system. This paper proposes a coil geometry optimisation methodology to boost PTE of these wireless communication systems. The proposed technique, in addition to increasing the PTE improves the overall system’s signal to noise ratio by reducing the coil antenna’s internal resistance

Identifying Extension Information Delivery Methods For Environmental Issues

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the types of information sources that farmers find useful, and the human resource organizations they depend upon when confronted with environmental issues

Maximising inductive power transmission using a novel analytical coil design approach.

Maximising power transfer efficiency (PTE) in resonant inductive power transfer (IPT) systems requires strong coupling between transmitter and receiver coils. In applications where system constraints yield a weak inductive link (e.g. significant distance between coils) or there is a requirement for a specific power level, then geometrically optimising the coils can enhance inductive linkage. To achieve this, a novel coil design method has been presented which provides maximum efficiency for both strongly- and loosely-coupled inductive links. A parameter (i.e. "Strong Coupling Factor") has been introduced to assist the design procedure. Discussing results from a practical 1.06 MHz inductive link - developed using the proposed design method - shows that, with proper selection of strong coupling factor (e.g. C=220), the designed coil geometry can provide maximum PTE of 86%. This is in close correlation (F ≈ 3%) with theoretical analysis using MATLAB

Vanishing largest Lyapunov exponent and Tsallis entropy

We present a geometric argument that explains why some systems having vanishing largest Lyapunov exponent have underlying dynamics aspects of which can be effectively described by the Tsallis entropy. We rely on a comparison of the generalised additivity of the Tsallis entropy versus the ordinary additivity of the BGS entropy. We translate this comparison in metric terms by using an effective hyperbolic metric on the configuration/phase space for the Tsallis entropy versus the Euclidean one in the case of the BGS entropy. Solving the Jacobi equation for such hyperbolic metrics effectively sets the largest Lyapunov exponent computed with respect to the corresponding Euclidean metric to zero. This conclusion is in agreement with all currently known results about systems that have a simple asymptotic behaviour and are described by the Tsallis entropy.Comment: 15 pages, No figures. LaTex2e. Some overlap with arXiv:1104.4869 Additional references and clarifications in this version. To be published in QScience Connec

Clinical response to primary letrozole therapy in elderly patients with early breast cancer : possible role for p53 as a biomarker

Primary tamoxifen therapy has been widely used to treat elderly women with ER-positive breast cancer in the past. Aromatase inhibitors may be more beneficial than tamoxifen when used as primary endocrine therapy in elderly patients. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate a series of elderly women with ER-positive breast cancer treated with primary letrozole therapy as sole therapy with a minimum of 5 years follow up. To identify possible predictive biomarkers a pilot immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess the expression of PR, HER2, EGFR, BCL2 and p53. A total of 45 women, aged more than 70 years with a diagnosis of ER-positive breast cancer that was treated with primary letrozole therapy were identified. A case note review was undertaken to obtain clinical information. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumour tissue from diagnostic core biopsies was available for all patients. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to establish the protein expression status of p53, PR, HER2, EGFR and BCL2. The mean age of the 45 patients was 87 years (range 70–101). Clinical benefit was seen in 60% of the patients. Median progression free survival was 53 months (95% CI – 34–72) and the median time to progression was 43 months (95% CI – 22–64). BCL2 was expressed in 45/45 (100%); PR in 38/45 (84%); EGFR in 13/45 (28%); HER2 in 9/45 (20%) and p53 in 5/45 (11%) of tissue samples. Positive expression of p53 was associated with poor progression free survival (p = 0.03) in this pilot study. This study demonstrates that letrozole as sole treatment appears to be a suitable treatment option for elderly patients with ER-positive breast cancer who are not fit for, or decline, surgery. The analysis of p53 in a larger study is warranted in order to assess its role as a biomarker in this patient group

Magnetic studies of Bi x Y3-x Fe5O12 fabricated using conventional method

A series of Bi substituted yttrium iron garnet (Bi-YIG) nanoparticles with nominal formula of BixY3 − xFe5O12 in which x varied in steps of 0.0, 0.25 and 0.5 are prepared by conventional method. Vibration sample magnetometer (VSM) at Room temperature (RT) shows saturation magnetization decreases from 27.4 to 25.2 (emu/g) as x value increases from 0.0 to 0.5. Room temperature 57Fe Mössbauer spectra are recorded for these series. The hyperfine field value for octahedral and tetrahedral of samples increases from 484 and 390 kOe to 491 and 397 kOe respectability, as Bi replaces Y in (BixY3 − xFe5O12) atom with increasing x value. The effect of Bi3 +  substitution for Y3 +  on lattice constants, morphology and magnetic properties of pure YIG has been investigated

Photocatalytic degradation of eleven microcystin analogues and nodularin by TiO2 coated glass microspheres

Microcystins and nodularin are toxic cyanobacterial secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria that pose a threat to human health in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods often fail to remove these toxins. Advanced oxidation processes such as TiO2 photocatalysis have been shown to effectively degrade these compounds. A particular issue that has limited the widespread application of TiO2 photocatalysis for water treatment has been the separation of the nanoparticulate powder from the treated water. A novel catalyst format, TiO2 coated hollow glass spheres (Photospheres™), is far more easily separated from treated water due to its buoyancy. This paper reports the photocatalytic degradation of eleven microcystin variants and nodularin in water using Photospheres™. It was found that the Photospheres™ successfully decomposed all compounds in 5min or less. This was found to be comparable to the rate of degradation observed using a Degussa P25 material, which has been previously reported to be the most efficient TiO2 for photocatalytic degradation of microcystins in water. Furthermore, it was observed that the degree of initial catalyst adsorption of the cyanotoxins depended on the amino acid in the variable positions of the microcystin molecule. The fastest degradation (2min) was observed for the hydrophobic variants (microcystin-LY, -LW, -LF). Suitability of UV-LEDs as an alternative low energy light source was also evaluated

Robust nanopatterning by laser-induced dewetting of metal nanofilms

We have observed nanopattern formation with robust and controllable spatial ordering by laser-induced dewetting in nanoscopic metal films. Pattern evolution in Co film of thickness 1\leq h\leq8 nm on SiO_{2} was achieved under multiple pulse irradiation using a 9 ns pulse laser. Dewetting leads to the formation of cellular patterns which evolve into polygons that eventually break up into nanoparticles with monomodal size distribution and short range ordering in nearest-neighbour spacing R. Spatial ordering was attributed to a hydrodynamic thin film instability and resulted in a predictable variation of R and particle diameter D with h. The length scales R and D were found to be independent of the laser energy. These results suggest that spatially ordered metal nanoparticles can be robustly assembled by laser-induced dewetting