Analysis, Design and Fabrication of centimeter-wave Dielectric Fresnel Zone Plate Lens and reflector

Fresnel lens has a long history in optics. This concept at non-optical wavelengths is also applicable. In this paper we report design and fabrication of a half and quarter wave dielectric Fresnel lens made of Plexiglas, and a Fresnel reflector at 11.1 GHz frequency. We made two lenses and one reflector at same frequency and compare their gain and radiation pattern to simulated results. Some methods for better focusing action will be introduced

Response to tilted magnetic fields in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 with columnar defects: Evidence for transverse Meissner effect

The transverse Meissner effect (TME) in the highly layered superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+y) with columnar defects is investigated by transport measurements. We present detailed evidence for the persistence of the Bose-glass phase when H is tilted at an angle theta < theta_c (T) away from the column direction: (i) the variable-range vortex hopping process for low currents crosses over to the half-loops regime for high currents; (ii) in both regimes near theta_c(T) the energy barriers vanish linearly with tan(theta) ; (iii) the transition temperature is governed by T_{BG}(0) -T_{BG}(theta) sim |tan(theta)|^{1/\nu_{\perp}} with \nu_{\perp}=1.0 +/- 0.1. Furthermore, above the transition as theta->\theta_c+, moving kink chains consistent with a commensurate-incommensurate transition scenario are observed. These results thereby clearly show the existence of the TME for theta < theta_c(T).Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX, 5 EPS figure

Analysis of Energy Consumption Performance towards Optimal Radioplanning of Wireless Sensor Networks in Heterogeneous Indoor Environments

In this paper the impact of complex indoor environment in the deployment and energy consumption of a wireless sensor network infrastructure is analyzed. The variable nature of the radio channel is analyzed by means of deterministic in-house 3D ray launching simulation of an indoor scenario, in which wireless sensors, based on an in-house CyFi implementation, typically used for environmental monitoring, are located. Received signal power and current consumption measurement results of the in-house designed wireless motes have been obtained, stating that adequate consideration of the network topology and morphology lead to optimal performance and power consumption reduction. The use of radioplanning techniques therefore aid in the deployment of more energy efficient elements, optimizing the overall performance of the variety of deployed wireless systems within the indoor scenario

Effect of field tilting on the vortices in irradiated Bi-2212

We report on transport measurements in a Bi-2212 single crystal with columnar defects parallel to the c-axis. The tilt of the magnetic field away from the direction of the tracks is studied for filling factors f=B_z/B_phi<1. Near the Bose Glass transition temperature T_BG, the angular scaling laws are verified and we find the field independent critical exponents nu'=1.1 and z'=5.30. Finally, above H_perpC we evidence the signature of a smectic-A like vortex phase. These experimental results provide support for the Bose Glass theory.Comment: 2 pages LaTeX, 2 EPS figures, uses fleqn and espcrc2 style macros. Submitted to Proceedings of M2S-HTSC-V

Majorana Spin Liquids, Topology and Superconductivity in Ladders

We theoretically address spin chain analogs of the Kitaev quantum spin model on the honeycomb lattice. The emergent quantum spin liquid phases or Anderson resonating valence bond (RVB) states can be understood, as an effective model, in terms of p-wave superconductivity and Majorana fermions. We derive a generalized phase diagram for the two-leg ladder system with tunable interaction strengths between chains allowing us to vary the shape of the lattice (from square to honeycomb ribbon or brickwall ladder). We evaluate the winding number associated with possible emergent (topological) gapless modes at the edges. In the Az phase, as a result of the emergent Z2 gauge fields and pi-flux ground state, one may build spin-1/2 (loop) qubit operators by analogy to the toric code. In addition, we show how the intermediate gapless B phase evolves in the generalized ladder model. For the brickwall ladder, the $B$ phase is reduced to one line, which is analyzed through perturbation theory in a rung tensor product states representation and bosonization. Finally, we show that doping with a few holes can result in the formation of hole pairs and leads to a mapping with the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in polyacetylene; a superconducting-insulating quantum phase transition for these hole pairs is accessible, as well as related topological properties.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures, final version - to be published in PR

Bose-Glass behaviour in Bi_{2}Sr_{2}Ca_{1-x}Y_{x}Cu_{2}O_{8} crystals with columnar defects: experimental evidence for variable-range hopping

We report on vortex transport in Bi_{2}Sr_{2}Ca_{1-x}Y_{x}Cu_{2}O_{8} crystals irradiated at different doses of heavy ions. We show evidence of a flux-creep resistivity typical of a variable-range vortex hopping mechanism as predicted by Nelson and Vinokur.Comment: 5 pages LaTeX2e (uses elsart.cls), 1 Encapsulated PostScript figur

Vegetal diamine oxidase alleviates histamine-induced contraction of colonic muscles

Excess of histamine in gut lumen generates a pronounced gastrointestinal discomfort, which may include diarrhea and peristalsis dysfunctions. Deleterious effects of histamine can be alleviated with antihistamine drugs targeting histamine receptors. However, many antihistamine agents come with various undesirable side effects. Vegetal diamine oxidase (vDAO) might be a relevant alternative owing to its histaminase activity. Mammalian intestinal mucosa contains an endogenous DAO, yet possessing lower activity compared to that of vDAO preparation. Moreover, in several pathological conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, this endogenous DAO enzyme can be lost or inactivated. Here, we tested the therapeutic potential of vDAO by focusing on the well-known effect of histamine on gut motility. Using ex vivo and in vitro assays, we found that vDAO is more potent than commercial anti-histamine drugs at inhibiting histamine-induced contraction of murine distal colon muscles. We also identified pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (the biologically active form of vitamin B6) as an effective enhancer of vDAO antispasmodic activity. Furthermore, we discovered that rectally administered vDAO can be retained on gut mucosa and remain active. These observations make administration of vDAO in the gut lumen a valid alternative treatment for histamine-induced intestinal dysfunctions