Adaptive Transmission Techniques for Mobile Satellite Links

Adapting the transmission rate in an LMS channel is a challenging task because of the relatively fast time variations, of the long delays involved, and of the difficulty in mapping the parameters of a time-varying channel into communication performance. In this paper, we propose two strategies for dealing with these impairments, namely, multi-layer coding (MLC) in the forward link, and open-loop adaptation in the return link. Both strategies rely on physical-layer abstraction tools for predicting the link performance. We will show that, in both cases, it is possible to increase the average spectral efficiency while at the same time keeping the outage probability under a given threshold. To do so, the forward link strategy will rely on introducing some latency in the data stream by using retransmissions. The return link, on the other hand, will rely on a statistical characterization of a physical-layer abstraction measure.Comment: Presented at the 30th AIAA International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC), Ottawa, Canada, 2012. Best Professional Paper Awar

Rooftop and indoor reception with transmit diversity applied to DVB-T networks: A long term measurement campaign

Although transmit Delay Diversity (DD) can provide a gain in indoor and other Non Line of Sight situations (NLOS), it can introduce degradation in rooftop reception. In fact, when the Ricean K factor of the channel is significantly high (e.g. Line of Sight reception), the channel performs similar to an AWGN channel where the performance degrades due to DD that artificially increase the fading. This paper investigates through practical evaluation the impacts of Transmit DD on LOS and NLOS stationary reception. Then, it studies 2 techniques to reduce the degradation performance in LOS while aiming to keep the same diversity gain in NLOS receptio

Measurement of Three Transport Coefficients and the Thermodynamic Factor in Block Copolymer Electrolytes with Different Morphologies.

The design and engineering of composite materials is one strategy to satisfy the materials needs of systems with multiple orthogonal property requirements. In the case of rechargeable batteries with lithium metal anodes, the system requires a separator with fast lithium ion transport and good mechanical strength. In this work, we focus on the system polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (SEO) with bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt (LiTFSI). Ion transport occurs in the salt-containing poly(ethylene oxide)-rich domains. Mechanical rigidity arises due to the glassy nature of polystyrene (PS). If we assume that the salt does not interact with the PS-rich domains, we can describe ion transport in the electrolyte by three transport parameters (ionic conductivity, κ, salt diffusion coefficient, D, and cation transference number, t+0) and a thermodynamic factor, Tf. By systematically varying the volume fraction of the conducting phase, ϕc between 0.29 and 1.0, and chain length, N between 80 and 8000, we elucidate the role of morphology on ion transport. We find that κ is the strongest function of morphology, varying by three full orders of magnitude, while D is a weaker function of morphology. To calculate t+0 and Tf, we measure the current fraction, ρ+, and the open circuit potential, U, of concentration cells. We find that ρ+ and U follow universal trends as a function of salt concentration, regardless of chain length, morphology, or ϕc, allowing us to calculate t+0 for any SEO/LiTFSI or PEO/LiTFSI mixture when κ and D are known. The framework developed in this paper enables predicting the performance of any block copolymer electrolyte in a rechargeable battery

Low-crosstalk bifurcation detectors for coupled flux qubits

We present experimental results on the crosstalk between two AC-operated dispersive bifurcation detectors, implemented in a circuit for high-fidelity readout of two strongly coupled flux qubits. Both phase-dependent and phase-independent contributions to the crosstalk are analyzed. For proper tuning of the phase the measured crosstalk is 0.1 % and the correlation between the measurement outcomes is less than 0.05 %. These results show that bifurcative readout provides a reliable and generic approach for multi-partite correlation experiments.Comment: Copyright 2010 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in Applied Physics Letters and may be found at http://link.aip.org/link/?apl/96/12350

Anthrax lethal toxin induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization and cytosolic cathepsin release is Nlrp1b/Nalp1b-dependent.

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) are a group of cytoplasmic molecules that recognize microbial invasion or 'danger signals'. Activation of NLRs can induce rapid caspase-1 dependent cell death termed pyroptosis, or a caspase-1 independent cell death termed pyronecrosis. Bacillus anthracis lethal toxin (LT), is recognized by a subset of alleles of the NLR protein Nlrp1b, resulting in pyroptotic cell death of macrophages and dendritic cells. Here we show that LT induces lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). The presentation of LMP requires expression of an LT-responsive allele of Nlrp1b, and is blocked by proteasome inhibitors and heat shock, both of which prevent LT-mediated pyroptosis. Further the lysosomal protease cathepsin B is released into the cell cytosol and cathepsin inhibitors block LT-mediated cell death. These data reveal a role for lysosomal membrane permeabilization in the cellular response to bacterial pathogens and demonstrate a shared requirement for cytosolic relocalization of cathepsins in pyroptosis and pyronecrosis

Dust in Interstellar Clouds, Evolved Stars and Supernovae

Outflows of pre-main-sequence stars drive shocks into molecular material within 0.01 - 1 pc of the young stars. The shock-heated gas emits infrared, millimeter and submillimeter lines of many species including. Dust grains are important charge carriers and play a large role in coupling the magnetic field and flow of neutral gas. Some effects of the dust on the dynamics of oblique shocks began to emerge in the 1990s. However, detailed models of these shocks are required for the calculation of the grain sputtering contribution to gas phase abundances of species producing observed emissions. We are developing such models. Some of the molecular species introduced into the gas phase by sputtering in shocks or by thermally driven desorption in hot cores form on grain surfaces. Recently laboratory studies have begun to contribute to the understanding of surface reactions and thermally driven desorption important for the chemistry of star forming clouds. Dusty plasmas are prevalent in many evolved stars just as well as in star forming regions. Radiation pressure on dust plays a significant role in mass loss from some post-main-sequence stars. The mechanisms leading to the formation of carbonaceous dust in the stellar outflows are similar to those important for soot formation in flames. However, nucleation in oxygen-rich outflows is less well understood and remains a challenging research area. Dust is observed in supernova ejecta that have not passed through the reverse shocks that develop in the interaction of ejecta with ambient media. Dust is detected in high redshift galaxies that are sufficiently young that the only stars that could have produced the dust were so massive that they became supernovae. Consequently, the issue of the survival of dust in strong supernova shocks is of considerable interest.Comment: 4 pages, to be published in the proceedings of Fifth International Conference on Physics of Dusty Plasma

Processing of strong flux trapping high T(subc) oxide superconductors: Center director's discretionary fund

Magnetic suspension effect was first observed in samples of YBa2Cu3O7/AgO(Y-123/AgO) composites. Magnetization measurements of these samples show a much larger hysteresis which corresponds to a large critical current density. In addition to the Y-123AgO composites, recently similar suspension effects in other RE-123/AgO, where RE stands for rare-Earth elements, were also observed. Some samples exhibit even stronger flux pinning than that of the Y-123/AgO sample. An interesting observation was that in order to form the composite which exhibits strong flux trapping effect the sintering temperature depends on the particular RE-123 compound used. The paper presents the detailed processing conditions for the formation of these RE-123/AgO composites, as well as the magnetization and critical field data

Identification of the Major Expressed S-Layer and Cell Surface-Layer-Related Proteins in the Model Methanogenic Archaea: Methanosarcina barkeri Fusaro and Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A

Many archaeal cell envelopes contain a protein coat or sheath composed of one or more surface exposed proteins. These surface layer (S-layer) proteins contribute structural integrity and protect the lipid membrane from environmental challenges. To explore the species diversity of these layers in the Methanosarcinaceae, the major S-layer protein in Methanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro was identified using proteomics. The Mbar_A1758 gene product was present in multiple forms with apparent sizes of 130, 120, and 100 kDa, consistent with post-translational modifications including signal peptide excision and protein glycosylation. A protein with features related to the surface layer proteins found in Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A and Methanosarcina mazei Goel was identified in the M. barkeri genome. These data reveal a distinct conserved protein signature with features and implied cell surface architecture in the Methanosarcinaceae that is absent in other archaea. Paralogous gene expression patterns in two Methanosarcina species revealed abundant expression of a single S-layer paralog in each strain. Respective promoter elements were identified and shown to be conserved in mRNA coding and upstream untranslated regions. Prior M. acetivorans genome annotations assigned S-layer or surface layer associated roles of eighty genes: however, of 68 examined none was significantly expressed relative to the experimentally determined S-layer gene

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7n7) in australia and the potential for novel influenza a viruses to emerge

In 2020, several geographically isolated farms in Victoria, Australia, experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H7N7 and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses H5N2 and H7N6. Effective containment and control measures ensured the eradication of these viruses but the event culminated in substantial loss of livestock and significant economic impact. The avian HPAI H7N7 virus generally does not infect humans; however, evidence shows the ocular pathway presents a favourable tissue tropism for human infection. Through antigenic drift, mutations in the H7N7 viral genome may increase virulence and pathogenicity in humans. The Victorian outbreak also detected LPAI H7N6 in emus at a commercial farm. Novel influenza A viruses can emerge by mixing different viral strains in a host susceptible to avian and human influenza strains. Studies show that emus are susceptible to infections from a wide range of influenza viral subtypes, including H5N1 and the pandemic H1N1. The emu’s internal organs and tissues express abundant cell surface sialic acid receptors that favour the attachment of avian and human influenza viruses, increasing the potential for internal genetic reassortment and the emergence of novel influenza A viruses. This review summarises the historical context of H7N7 in Australia, considers the potential for increased virulence and pathogenesis through mutations and draws attention to the emu as potentially an unrecognised viral mixing vessel

Concave Plasmonic Particles: Broad-Band Geometrical Tunability in the Near Infra-Red

Optical resonances spanning the Near and Short Infra-Red spectral regime were exhibited experimentally by arrays of plasmonic nano-particles with concave cross-section. The concavity of the particle was shown to be the key ingredient for enabling the broad band tunability of the resonance frequency, even for particles with dimensional aspect ratios of order unity. The atypical flexibility of setting the resonance wavelength is shown to stem from a unique interplay of local geometry with surface charge distributions