Channel Mode Research Articles

The electronic stopping powers and angular energy-loss dependence of helium and lithium ions in the silicon crystal

We have measured the electronic stopping powers of helium and lithium ions in the channelling direction of the Si〈100〉 crystal. The energy range used (2.0–8.0MeV) was changed by 200 and 400-keV steps. The ratio α between the channelling and random stopping powers was determined as a function of the angle for 2, 3 and 4MeV 4He+ ions and for 3 and 6MeV 7Li+,2+ ions. The measurements were carried out using the Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in the channelling mode (RBS-C) in a silicon-on-insulator material. The experimental channelling stopping-power values measured in the channelling direction were then discussed in the frame of the random energy stopping predictions calculated using SRIM-2013 code and the theoretical unitary convolution approximation (UCA) model. The experimental channelling stopping-power values decrease with increasing ion energy. The stopping-power difference between channelled and randomly moving ions increases with the enhanced initial ion energy. The ratio between the channelling and random ion stopping powers α as a function of the ion beam incoming angle for 2, 3 and 4MeV He+ ions and for 3 and 6MeV Li+,2+ ions was observed in the range 0.5–1.

Adaptive transmission in heterogeneous networks

An Adaptive tranSmission mechanism exploiting both interference loCality and the relationship between dEsired sigNal and inTerference (ASCENT) is proposed for uplink transmission in heterogeneous networks. The authors adopt both X channel and Z channel models according to which spatial signal processing is designed. In the X channel, the picocell base station (PBS) exploits information the macrocell base station (MBS) shares to cancel local interference, and cooperatively decodes the data carried by strong interference from a macro-user (MU), which is then fed to the MBS. As a result, a pico-user (PU) can transmit simultaneously with an MU on the same channel. In addition, adaptive reception is employed to achieve good tradeoff between interference suppression and the desired level of signal distortion. For the Z channel, the PU and the PBS adopt signal processing suitable for their own channel state. At a PBS, interference cancellation is adopted to eliminate disturbance from an MU via inter-base station collaboration. ASCENT is also extended to the case of multiple picocells. The authors’ simulation results show that in X channel mode, the achievable uplink rate of an MU can be significantly enhanced. In the case of Z channel, the PU's rate is improved while guaranteeing the MU's data rate.

Localization and pneumococcal alteration of junction proteins in the human alveolar-capillary compartment.

Loss of alveolar barrier function with subsequent respiratory failure is a hallmark of severe pneumonia. Although junctions between endo- and epithelial cells regulate paracellular fluid flux, little is known about their composition and regulation in the human alveolar compartment. High autofluorescence of human lung tissue in particular complicates the determination of subcellular protein localization. By comparing conventional channel mode confocal imaging with spectral imaging and linear unmixing, we demonstrate that background fluorescent spectra and fluorophore signals could be rigorously separated resulting in complete recovery of the specific signal at a high signal-to-noise ratio. Using this technique and Western blotting, we show the expression patterns of tight junction proteins occludin, ZO-1 as well as claudin-3, -4, -5 and -18 and adherence junction protein VE-cadherin in naive or Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected human lung tissue. In uninfected tissues, occludin and ZO-1 formed band-like structures in alveolar epithelial cells type I (AEC I), alveolar epithelial cells type II (AEC II) and lung capillaries, whereas claudin-3, -4 and -18 were visualised in AEC II. Claudin-5 was detected in the endothelium only. Claudin-3, -5, -18 displayed continuous band-like structures, while claudin-4 showed a dot-like expression. Pneumococcal infection reduced alveolar occludin, ZO-1, claudin-5 and VE-cadherin but did not change the presence of claudin-3, -4 and -18. Spectral confocal microscopy allows for the subcellular structural analysis of proteins in highly autofluorescent human lung tissue. The thereby observed deterioration of lung alveolar junctional organisation gives a structural explanation for alveolar barrier disruption in severe pneumococcal pneumonia.

Insights into the Gating Mechanism of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters-Associated Anion Channel

Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs) control excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain. They complete this task through a secondary active transport mechanism. In addition, EAATs operate as substrate-gated anion channels. These two mechanisms are known to be thermodynamically uncoupled. However, emerging evidence demonstrates a tight structural coupling between them. We have recently identified a conserved positively charged residue (R388, hEAAT1) in transmembrane domain 7 (TM7), which is crucial for such a coupling. Substituting R388 with a negatively charged amino acid drives the carrier into a constitutive open channel state, while it limits the transport cycle. We here combine electrophysiological recordings and molecular dynamic simulations to characterize the mechanism that controls the switch between transport mode and channel mode. We have built a homology model of the mammalian isoform EAAT1 using the crystal structure of the archaeal orthologue GltPh as a template. Then using atomistic molecular simulations, we have identified residues in TM2, TM5, TM7 and the hairpin loop 1 (HP1) which may be coordinating with R388, the anion channel opening. Our results show that mutating E377 (HP1) to a positively charged residue, yields a large anion conductance and a significantly reduced transport activity (less than 1%), similar to R388D/E. These results suggest that an interaction E377-R388 is necessary to maintain an efficient transporter, and that affecting this interaction favors the equilibrium into an open channel and out of the transport cycle. Interestingly, a double mutant swapping these charges (R388D-E377R) virtually recovered the wild type phenotype, corroborating this hypothesis. Our data provide additional insights into the mechanism that facilitates opening and closing of the EAAT-associated anion channel and suggest that intramolecular interactions between R388 and nearby residues are a crucial piece of this process.

On the threshold for ion track formation in CaF2

There is an ongoing debate regarding the mechanism of swift heavy ion (SHI) track formation in CaF2. The objective of this study is to shed light on this important topic using a range of complementary experimental techniques. Evidence of the threshold for ion track formation being below 3 keV nm−1 is provided by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy in the channelling mode, which has direct consequences for the validity of models describing the response of CaF2 to SHI irradiation. Furthermore, information about the elemental composition within the ion tracks is obtained using scanning TEM, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and with respect to the stoichiometry of the materials surface by in situ time of flight elastic recoil detection analysis. Advances in the analyses of the experimental data presented here pave the way for a better understanding of the ion track formation.

Phenomenology of enhanced light quark Yukawa couplings and the W\xb1h charge asymmetry

I propose the measurement of the W±h charge asymmetry as a consistency test for the Standard Model (SM) Higgs, which is sensitive to enhanced Yukawa couplings of the first and second generation quarks. I present a collider analysis for the charge asymmetry in the same-sign lepton final state, pp → W±h → (ℓ±ν) (ℓ±νjj), aimed at discovery significance for the SM W±h production mode in each charge channel with 300 fb−1 of 14 TeV LHC data. Using this decay mode, I estimate the statistical precision on the charge asymmetry should reach 0.4% with 3 ab−1 luminosity, enabling a strong consistency test of the SM Higgs hypothesis. I also discuss direct and indirect constraints on light quark Yukawa couplings from direct and indirect probes of the Higgs width as well as Tevatron and Large Hadron Collider Higgs data. While the main effect from enhanced light quark Yukawa couplings is a rapid increase in the total Higgs width, such effects could be mitigated in a global fit to Higgs couplings, leaving the W±h charge asymmetry as a novel signature to test directly the Higgs couplings to light quarks.

A highly selective chromogenic sensor for Mn2 +, turn-off fluorometric for Hg2 + ion, and turn-on fluorogenic sensor for F− ion with the practical application

A colorimetric and fluorometric probe (E)-2-((8-hydroxy-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-9-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide based on thiosemicarbazide and julolidine moieties has been synthesised in pure crystalline form and characterized by 1H NMR, UV–vis, elemental analysis and single crystal XRD. The probe functioned as multitarget ion sensor, detect biologically important metal ions Hg2+ and Mn2+ in dual channel mode. Meanwhile, in mixed solvent media DMF/H2O [8:2], probe displayed selectivity for Hg2+ over other cations by the emission spectrum. Interestingly probe has been explored to recognize F− anion in DMF through ESIPT mechanism. The 1:1 binding stoichiometry of probe with Hg2+ and Mn2+ is confirmed by Job's plot through emission titration and UV–vis titration respectively. Probe is selective and sensitive to Hg2+ and Mn2+ with detection limit as low as 15μM and 0.2μM respectively. The sensing mechanism for selective ions was also scrutinized using 1H NMR experiments and computational studies.

Critical behavior of non-hydrodynamic quasinormal modes in a strongly coupled plasma

We study the behavior of quasinormal modes in a top-down holographic dual corresponding to a strongly coupled mathcal{N}=4 super Yang-Mills plasma charged under a U(1) subgroup of the global SU(4) R-symmetry. In particular, we analyze the spectra of quasi-normal modes in the external scalar and vector diffusion channels near the critical point and obtain the behavior of the characteristic equilibration times of the plasma as the system evolves towards the critical point of its phase diagram. Except close to the critical point, we observe that by increasing the chemical potential one generally increases the damping rate of the quasinormal modes, which leads to a reduction of the characteristic equilibration times in the dual strongly coupled plasma. However, as one approaches the critical point the typical equilibration time (as estimated from the lowest non-hydrodynamic quasinormal mode frequency) increases, although remaining finite, while its derivative with respect to the chemical potential diverges with exponent -1/2. We also find a purely imaginary non-hydrodynamical mode in the vector diffusion channel at nonzero chemical potential which dictates the equilibration time in this channel near the critical point.

On the Spectral Efficiency Limits of an OAM-Based Multiplexing Scheme

As reported in several recent publications, a spatial multiplexing involving the transmission of orthogonal waves carrying Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) is unable to provide spectral efficiency improvements with respect to the conventional techniques. In this work we emphasize how the limits of an OAM multiple transmission between antenna arrays can be derived from the Shannon capacity formula, taking as a reference the performance of a multiplexing method based on the higher-order channel modes. Our approach clearly indicates that the two techniques offer the same on-axis performance. Conversely, small misalignments in the arrays positions affect the OAM scheme, highlighting the greater robustness of a traditional multiplexing method in the context of radio communications.

A Novel Secure Transmission Scheme in MIMO Two-Way Relay Channels with Physical Layer Approach

Security issue has been considered as one of the most pivotal aspects for the fifth-generation mobile network (5G) due to the increasing demands of security service as well as the growing occurrence of security threat. In this paper, instead of focusing on the security architecture in the upper layer, we investigate the secure transmission for a basic channel model in a heterogeneous network, that is, two-way relay channels. By exploiting the properties of the transmission medium in the physical layer, we propose a novel secure scheme for the aforementioned channel mode. With precoding design, the proposed scheme is able to achieve a high transmission efficiency as well as security. Two different approaches have been introduced: information theoretical approach and physical layer encryption approach. We show that our scheme is secure under three different adversarial models: (1) untrusted relay attack model, (2) trusted relay with eavesdropper attack model, and (3) untrusted relay with eavesdroppers attack model. We also derive the secrecy capacity of the two different approaches under the three attacks. Finally, we conduct three simulations of our proposed scheme. The simulation results agree with the theoretical analysis illustrating that our proposed scheme could achieve a better performance than the existing schemes.

Magnetorotational Instability in Core-Collapse Supernovae

We discuss the relevance of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). Our recent numerical studies show that in CCSNe, the MRI is terminated by parasitic instabilities of the Kelvin-Helmholtz type. To determine whether the MRI can amplify initially weak magnetic fields to dynamically relevant strengths in CCSNe, we performed three-dimensional simulations of a region close to the surface of a differentially rotating proto-neutron star in non-ideal magnetohydrodynamics with two different numerical codes. We find that under the conditions prevailing in proto-neutron stars, the MRI can amplify the magnetic field by (only) one order of magnitude. This severely limits the role of MRI channel modes as an agent amplifying the magnetic field in proto-neutron stars starting from small seed fields.

Design of precision spatial positioning scheme for mode division multiplexing system channels placement over optical fiber core end

This work presents fast and simple method for design and computing parameters of precision spatial positioning scheme for mode division multiplexing (MDM) system channels placement over optical fiber core end. Proposed solution is based on combination of well known mode field overlap integral method and earlier on developed modified Gaussian approximation. Computation results showed that fitting of MDM channel mode field radius and its corresponding offset launching position in relation to optical fiber core center provides transmission of the almost total channel injected mode power to only one particular excited fiber mode with the same azimuthal order. This work presents results of proposed method approbation for computation of spatial positioning scheme for modes of 5-channel MDM system placement over few-mode optical fiber 42/125 core end.

Novel Picture of the Soft Modes at the QCD Critical Point Based on the FRG Method

We investigate the soft mode at the QCD critical point (CP) on the basis of the functional renormalization group. We calculate the spectral functions in the meson channels in the two-flavor quark--meson model. Our result shows that the energy of the peak position of the particle--hole mode in the sigma channel becomes vanishingly small as the system approaches the QCD CP, which is a manifestation of the softening of the phonon mode. We also extract the dispersion curves of the mesonic and the phonon mode, a hydrodynamic mode which leads to a finding that the dispersion curve of the sigma-mesonic mode crosses the light-cone into the space-like momentum region, and then eventually merges into the phonon mode as the system approaches further close to the CP. This may suggest that the sigma-mesonic mode forms the soft mode together with the hydrodynamic mode at the CP.

Joint distribution of power and angle of arrival for three‐dimensional channel model

With the development of multi-antenna systems, the channel mode is crucial for estimating the potential of multiple-antenna, wireless communication systems. Various channel models have been proposed. However, most of them assume that multipath signals arrive with the same power. Therefore, they can only be used to investigate a very small number of all of the received signals. In this study, the joint distribution of power of arrival, horizontal angle of arrival (AOA θ ) and vertical angle of arrival (AOA φ ) is derived. Micro-cell and macro-cell environments are investigated, respectively. The results indicate that the received signals with different power/path loss have different angle distributions. Simulations are also performed to verify the derived results. Moreover, the influence on the channel model caused by antenna height and surrounding objectives is also discussed in this study.

Radiation of fast positrons interacting with periodic microstructure on the surface of a crystal

Radiation of positrons passing through a set of equidistant crystal plates is calculated. Each plate is of thickness of half of the particle trajectory period at planar channeling in a thick crystal. Positively charged particle entering the first plate at an angle smaller than the critical channeling angle is captured into channeling mode and changes the direction of its transversal velocity to reversed. Between the half-wave plates the particle moves along a straight line. The proposed setup can be realized as a set of equidistant ridges on the surface of a single crystal. Passing through such set of half-wave crystal plates the particle moves on quasi-undulator trajectories. Properties of the particle radiation emitted during their passage through such “multicrystal undulator” are calculated. The radiation spectrum in each particular direction is discrete, and the frequency of the first harmonic and the number of harmonics in the spectrum depend on the distance between the plates, on energy of the particles and on the averaged potential energy of atomic planes of the crystal. The radiation is bound to a narrow cone in the direction of the average particle velocity and polarized essentially in a plane orthogonal to the atomic planes in the crystal.

Refractometric micro-sensor using a mirrored capillary resonator.

We report on a flow-through optical sensor consisting of a microcapillary with mirrored channels. Illuminating the structure from the side results in a complicated spectral interference pattern due to the different cavities formed between the inner and outer capillary walls. Using a Fourier transform technique to isolate the desired channel modes and measure their resonance shift, we obtain a refractometric detection limit of (6.3 ± 1.1) x 10-6 RIU near a center wavelength of 600 nm. This simple device demonstrates experimental refractometric sensitivities up to (5.6 ± 0.2) x 102 nm/RIU in the visible spectrum, and it is calculated to reach 1540 nm/RIU with a detection limit of 2.3 x 10-6 RIU at a wavelength of 1.55 µm. These values are comparable to or exceed some of the best Fabry-Perot sensors reported to date. Furthermore, the device can function as a gas or liquid sensor or even as a pressure sensor owing to its high refractometric sensitivity and simple operation.

Microplasma mode transition and corresponding propagation characteristics controlled by manipulating electric field strength in a microchannel-cavity hybrid structure device

Plasma redistribution in a symmetric microchannel-cavity hybrid structure device has been investigated by modulating the applied electric field strength. The device array has been operated in 200 Torr of argon, driven by a 20 kHz bipolar waveform. With the existence of the intervening microchannel between microcavities, several stable modes of operation of the microplasma have been observed, including cavity mode, hybrid mode and channel mode. Transition between the modes occurs with modulation of the applied voltage from 800 to 1100 V. The characteristics of microplasma propagation in different modes are investigated and the propagation speed along diagonal direction of the device in cavity mode, hybrid and channel mode are calculated to be ~48, ~29 and ~32 km s−1, respectively. Nonhomogeneous electric field strength distribution and plasma interaction have been discussed to explain these experimental results. Emission intensity and propagation speed differences in the cavity mode between the polarities of the applied voltage are interpreted through spatially resolved measurements of the emission profile in a partial channel-cavity array.

Magnetorotationally driven wind cycles in local disc models

Jets, from the protostellar to the AGN context, have been extensively studied but their connection to the turbulent dynamics of the underlying accretion disc is poorly understood. Following a similar approach to Lesur et al. (2013), we examine the role of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in the production and acceleration of outflows from discs. Via a suite of one-dimensional shearing-box simulations of stratified discs we show that magneto-centrifugal winds exhibit cyclic activity with a period of 10-20 Omega^{-1}, a few times the orbital period. The cycle seems to be more vigorous for strong vertical field; it is robust to the variation of relevant parameters and independent of numerical details. The convergence of these solutions (in particular the mass loss rate) with vertical box size is also studied. By considering a sequence of magnetohydrostatic equilibria and their stability, the periodic activity may be understood as the succession of the following phases: (a) a dominant MRI channel mode, (b) strong magnetic field generation, (c) consequent wind launching, and ultimately (d) vertical expulsion of the excess magnetic field by the expanding and accelerating gas associated with the wind. We discuss potential connections between this behaviour and observed time-variability in disk-jet systems.

Optical pulling using evanescent mode in sub-wavelength channels

Optical evanescent wave in total internal reflection has been widely used in efficient optical manipulation, where the object is trapped by the intrinsic intensity gradient of the evanescent wave while transported by the scattering force along the orthogonal direction. Here, we propose a distinct optical manipulation scheme using the attenuated modes in subwavelength optical channels, where both the trapping and transportation forces are along the channel direction. We create such a mode in a sub-wavelength photonic crystal waveguide and quantitatively obtain the net pushing and pulling forces, which can overcome the Brownian motion within a critical length. Due to the presence of the physical channel, subwavelength trapping on the transverse direction is natural, and manipulation along bend trajectories is also possible without the assistance of the self-acceleration beams provided a channel is adopted. This optical manipulation method can be extended to any other channels that support attenuation mode, and may provide an alternate way for flexible optical manipulation.

A current view of serotonin transporters.

Serotonin transporters (SERTs) are largely recognized for one aspect of their function—to transport serotonin back into the presynaptic terminal after its release. Another aspect of their function, however, may be to generate currents large enough to have physiological consequences. The standard model for electrogenic transport is the alternating access model, in which serotonin is transported with a fixed ratio of co-transported ions resulting in net charge per cycle. The alternating access model, however, cannot account for all the observed currents through SERT or other monoamine transporters. Furthermore, SERT agonists like ecstasy or antagonists like fluoxetine generate or suppress currents that the standard model cannot support. Here we survey evidence for a channel mode of transport in which transmitters and ions move through a pore. Available structures for dopamine and serotonin transporters, however, provide no evidence for a pore conformation, raising questions of whether the proposed channel mode actually exists or whether the structural data are perhaps missing a transient open state.