Research issues in genomic signal processing

Genomic signal processing (GSP) concerns the processing of genomic signals. It may be defined as the analysis, processing, and use of genomic signals to gain biological knowledge and the translation of that knowledge into systems-based applications. In this article, the authors discuss the key research issues for GSP. It is important to recognize that "genomic signal processing" is not a name for genomic bioinformatics nor for the application of signal processing methods in genomics. We note that the research issues pertaining to GSP fit within the overall challenges confronting research in the area of multimodal biomedical systems.     

Recent Advances in Poly (Amide-B-Ethylene) Based Membranes for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Capture: A Review

Polyamide-b-ethylene (Pebax) is a promising material for membrane-based gas separation application with excellent CO₂ capturing potential. Pebax is a rubbery elastomer which offers good mechanical support with its hard crystalline phase and excellent gas transport through its amorphous polyether phase. This review article includes recent advances in Pebax based membrane synthesis, solvent selection for membrane synthesis, compatible fillers with Pebax matrix and the improved gas separation performance of the prepared membranes. The literature review shows that Pebax based membranes are a good candidate for separation of CO₂ from flue gases and can be used for commercial applications.     

Steam oxidation resistance of Ni-aluminide/Fe-aluminide duplex coatings formed on creep resistant ferritic steels by low temperature pack cementation process

Steam oxidation resistance and thermal stability were studied at 650 °C for a coating with an outer Ni₂Al₃ layer and an inner Fe₂Al₅ layer formed on P92 steel surface. The parabolic rate law of oxidation was obeyed only in less than 2000 h with positive deviations occurring at longer oxidation times. The outer layer of the coating was transformed to NiAl during oxidation, but it remained stable once it was formed. The mechanisms for the enhanced thermal stability were discussed and a simple approach to enhancing the lifetime of the coating was proposed.     

Materials response to high pressures

There are many fascinating areas of research related to the response of materials at high static and dynamic pressures. The experimental range of compression achievable in the condensed state under pressure is much larger than the range of expansion achievable before melting by variation of temperature. The advances in the experimental techniques have been matched by the developments in the first principles theories and in computational resources. Studies of equation of state and of phase transitions in materials have helped to increase our basic understanding of the condensed state of matter, with possible applications in many fields, including nuclear technology. The current status of high pressure research is briefly reviewed, taking examples mainly from the work of our group at Trombay.     

Two way shape memory loss in Cu---Zn---Al alloy

Investigation is carried out to understand the reasons behind the degradation of two way shape memory effect in Cu---Zn---Al alloy which exhibits a complete loss in its two way memory effect after a finite number of transformation cycles. It is observed that the two-way memory loss is attributable to a chemical effect viz. the precipitation of intermetallics at the martensite plate boundaries. Since repetitive thermal cycling is related to some kind of ageing effects, the present investigation also includes the study on the ageing behaviour of the alloys. The ageing effects are finally co-related with the observed two-way shape memory loss to describe the transformation fatigue found in the Cu---Zn---Al alloy.     

Note on axis-symmetric jet mixing of compressible dusty fluid

Summary Laminar jet mixing of a compressible dusty fluid issuing from a circular opening has been considered. Assuming that the jet mixing is under full expansion, the governing equations have been linearised and solved by successively using Hankel and Laplace transform techniques. Numerical computations of the integrals giving velocity, temperature and density of both the fluid and particle phase have been made to discuss results. The increase in the concentration of dust particles results in width of the jet is greater for compressible flow. The compressible dusty jet does not cool as fast as a compressible jet of clear fluid. The particle concentration decreases along the axial direction but increases towards the free jet boundary.     

Data Compression Limit for an Information Source of Interacting Qubits

A system of interacting qubits can be viewed as a non-i.i.d quantum information source. A possible model of such a source is provided by a quantum spin system, in which spin-1/2 particles located at sites of a lattice interact with each other. We establish the limit for the compression of information from such a source and show that asymptotically it is given by the von Neumann entropy rate. Our result can be viewed as a quantum ana-logue of Shannon's noiseless coding theorem for a class of non-i.i.d. quantum informa-tion sources. From the probabilistic point of view it is an analog of the Shannon-McMillan-Breiman theorem considered as a cornerstone of modern Information Theory. PACS: 03.67-a; 03.67.Lx     

Properties of YIG-based magnetic glass-ceramics with different nucleating agents

The effect of bismuth, silver oxide and palladium on the crystallization of yttrium iron garnet in Na₂O-SiO₂-Y₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ glass-ceramics has been investigated by X-ray diffraction thermal analysis, magnetic measurements and optical microscopy. It is found that the magnetic properties of these glass-ceramics can be altered significantly by a change in the nucleating agents and the heat treatment schedule. This behaviour is explained on the basis of the microstructure and the volume fraction of the different magnetic phases crystallized within the glasses.     

Co(II) Catalyzed Solvent Free Auto-Oxidation of Methylbenzenes to Substituted Benzoic Acids Under Phase Transfer Conditions

A novel methodology for the solvent free auto-oxidation of methylbenzenes under mild conditions is disclosed. The new scheme is based on a combination of metallic salt (cobalt chloride) and a quaternary ammonium phase transfer catalyst (didecyldimethylammonium bromide) which together form a complex soluble catalyst in the organic phase. Major reaction parameters are studied and optimized and the procedure is applied for the conversion of several substituted toluenes to the corresponding benzoic acids in excellent isolated yields.