Fuel-optimal G-MPSP Guidance for Powered Descent Phase of Soft Lunar Landing

A fuel optimal nonlinear sub-optimal guidance scheme is presented in this paper for soft landing of a lunar craft during the powered descent phase. The recently developed Generalized Model Predictive Static Programming (G-MPSP) is used to compute the required magnitude and angle of the thrust vector. Both terminal position and velocity vector are imposed as hard constraints, which ensures high position accuracy and facilitates initiation of vertical descent at the end of the powered descent phase. A key feature of the G-MPSP algorithm is that it converts the nonlinear dynamic programming problem into a low-dimensional static optimization problem (of the same dimension as the output vector). The control history update is done in closed form after computing a time-varying weighting matrix through a backward integration process. This feature makes the algorithm computationally efficient, which makes it suitable for on-board applications. The effectiveness of the proposed guidance algorithm is demonstrated through promising simulation results.

Targeting human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA with curcumin and its synthesized analogues under molecular crowding conditions

The formation of telomeric G-quadruplexes has been shown to inhibit telomerase activity. Indeed, a number of small molecules capable of p-stacking with G-tetrads have shown the ability to inhibit telomerase activity through the stabilization of G-quadruplexes. Curcumin displays a wide spectrum of medicinal properties ranging from anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory to anti-cancer activity. We have investigated the interactions of curcumin and its structural analogues with the human telomeric sequence AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3) under molecular crowding conditions. Experimental studies indicated the existence of a AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3)/curcumin complex with binding affinity of 0.72 x 10(6) M-1 under molecular crowding conditions. The results from UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, a fluorescent TO displacement assay, circular dichroism and molecular docking studies, imply that curcumin and their analogues interact with G-quadruplex DNA via groove binding. While other analogs of curcumin studied here bind to G-quadruplexes in a qualitatively similar manner their affinities are relatively lower in comparison to curcumin. The Knoevenagel condensate, a methoxy-benzylidene derivative of curcumin, also exhibited significant binding to G-quadruplex DNA, although with two times decreased affinity. Our study establishes the potential of curcumin as a promising natural product for G-quadruplex specific ligands.

A Simple Hysteretic Energy Harvesting Method for Nonneutral AC Switches in Load Automation

This paper presents a simple hysteretic method to obtain the energy required to operate the gate-drive, sensors, and other circuits within nonneutral ac switches intended for use in load automated buildings. The proposed method features a switch-mode low part-count self-powered MOSFET ac switch that achieves efficiency and load current THD figures comparable to those of an externally gate-driven switch built using similar MOSFETS. The fundamental operation of the method is explained in detail, followed by the modifications required for practical implementation. Certain design rules that allow the method to accommodate a wide range of single-phase loads from 10 VA to 1 kVA are discussed, along with an efficiency enhancement feature based on inherent MOSFET characteristics. The limitations and side effects of the method are also mentioned according to their levels of severity. Finally, experimental results obtained using a prototype sensor switch are presented, along with a performance comparison of the prototype with an externally gate-driven MOSFET switch.

The legacy of G. N. Ramachandran and the development of structural biology in India

G. N. Ramachandran is among the founding fathers of structural molecular biology. He made pioneering contributions in computational biology, modelling and what we now call bioinformatics. The triple helical coiled coil structure of collagen proposed by him forms the basis of much of collagen research at the molecular level. The Ramachandran map remains the simplest descriptor and tool for validation of protein structures. He has left his imprint on almost all aspects of biomolecular conformation. His contributions in the area of theoretical crystallography have been outstanding. His legacy has provided inspiration for the further development of structural biology in India. After a pause, computational biology and bioinformatics are in a resurgent phase. One of the two schools established by Ramachandran pioneered the development of macromolecular crystallography, which has now grown into an important component of modern biological research in India. Macromolecular NMR studies in the country are presently gathering momentum. Structural biology in India is now poised to again approach heights of the kind that Ramachandran conquered more than a generation ago.

Targeting human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA with curcumin and its synthesized analogues under molecular crowding conditions

The formation of telomeric G-quadruplexes has been shown to inhibit telomerase activity. Indeed, a number of small molecules capable of p-stacking with G-tetrads have shown the ability to inhibit telomerase activity through the stabilization of G-quadruplexes. Curcumin displays a wide spectrum of medicinal properties ranging from anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-protozoal, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory to anti-cancer activity. We have investigated the interactions of curcumin and its structural analogues with the human telomeric sequence AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3) under molecular crowding conditions. Experimental studies indicated the existence of a AG(3)(T(2)AG(3))(3)/curcumin complex with binding affinity of 0.72 x 10(6) M-1 under molecular crowding conditions. The results from UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, a fluorescent TO displacement assay, circular dichroism and molecular docking studies, imply that curcumin and their analogues interact with G-quadruplex DNA via groove binding. While other analogs of curcumin studied here bind to G-quadruplexes in a qualitatively similar manner their affinities are relatively lower in comparison to curcumin. The Knoevenagel condensate, a methoxy-benzylidene derivative of curcumin, also exhibited significant binding to G-quadruplex DNA, although with two times decreased affinity. Our study establishes the potential of curcumin as a promising natural product for G-quadruplex specific ligands.

Theoretical and Experimental Evaluation of Pulsating Torque Produced by Induction Motor Drives Controlled With Advanced Bus-Clamping Pulsewidth Modulation

This paper investigates possible reduction of pulsating torque in open-loop and vector-controlled induction motor drives through deployment of certain advanced bus-clamping pulsewidth modulation (ABCPWM) method. Toward this goal, a simple and machine-independent method is proposed to analyze the torque harmonic spectrum of a voltage source inverter fed induction motor, operated with any real-time pulsewidth modulation (PWM) method. The analytically evaluated torque harmonic spectra, pertaining to conventional space vector PWM (CSVPWM), bus-clamping PWM (BCPWM), and ABCPWM, are validated through simulation and experimental results. Theoretical and experimental studies bring out the superiority of the ABCPWM in terms of torque harmonics over CSVPWM and BCPWM. The magnitude of the dominant torque harmonic with the ABCPWM scheme is shown to be significantly lower than that with CSVPWM, over a wide range of speed. The rms torque ripple (i.e., total rms value of all harmonic torques) is lower with ABCPWM than with BCPWM over the entire range of speed.

Thermo-optic Degradation of Single-Modedness in Active LMA fibers and Simple Compensation Mechanisms

We demonstrate significant thermo-optic degradation of single-modedness in active large mode area fibers due to heat generation in the fiber. We propose and demonstrate through simulations, simple compensation mechanisms using custom length dependent fiber coiling.

On the Geometrically Dependent Quasi-Saturation and g(m) Reduction in Advanced DeMOS Transistors

This paper reveals an early quasi-saturation (QS) effect attributed to the geometrical parameters in shallow trench isolation-type drain-extended MOS (STI-DeMOS) transistors in advanced CMOS technologies. The quasi-saturation effect leads to serious g(m) reduction in STI-DeMOS. This paper investigates the nonlinear resistive behavior of the drain-extended region and its impact on the particular behavior of the STI-DeMOS transistor. In difference to vertical DMOS or lateral DMOS structures, STI-DeMOS exhibits three distinct regions of the drain extension. A complete understanding of the physics in these regions and their impact on the QS behavior are developed in this paper. An optimization strategy is shown for an improved g(m) device in a state-of-the-art 28-nm CMOS technology node.

Simple lattice Boltzmann model for traffic flows

A lattice Boltzmann model with 5-bit lattice for traffic flows is proposed. Using the Chapman-Enskog expansion and multi-scale technique, we obtain the higher-order moments of equilibrium distribution function. A simple traffic light problem is simulated by using the present lattice Boltzmann model, and the result agrees well with analytical solution.

Direct numerical test of the B-G-K model equation by the DSMC method

In the present paper the rarefied gas how caused by the sudden change of the wall temperature and the Rayleigh problem are simulated by the DSMC method which has been validated by experiments both in global flour field and velocity distribution function level. The comparison of the simulated results with the accurate numerical solutions of the B-G-K model equation shows that near equilibrium the BG-K equation with corrected collision frequency can give accurate result but as farther away from equilibrium the B-G-K equation is not accurate. This is for the first time that the error caused by the B-G-K model equation has been revealed.

A simple approach to the evaluation of fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength and fracture toughness

On the basis of microscopical analyses of the fiber distribution and longitudinal shear deformation in unidirectional fiber composites, a simple approach is presented for characterizing the interfacial sheer strength and fracture toughness.

Comparación de parámetros reproductivos bajo inseminación artificial y monta natural en cerdas, (Cofradia, G.E.P.)

Este experimento se realizó en la Granja Experimental Porcina (G.E.P), Cofradía, Masaya, con 82 cerdas del cuarto parto, 30 servidas a través de inseminación artificial (I.A) y 52 cerdas por monta natural (M.N); iniciando en mayo de 1,995 hasta mayo de 1,996 con el objetivo de evaluar los parámetros reproductivos y económicos en ambos sistemas de monta. Los dos grupos de cerdas reproductoras estaban compuestos por las razas LANDRACE, YORKSHIRE y DUROC. Las variables evaluadas fueron: Tasa de concepción (T.C) y tasa de parición (T.P), números de crías por partos (N.C.P), peso vivo promedio del lechón en la camada al nacer (P.V.L.C), relación beneficio-costo (B-C). Los resultados finales comprobados al 5% de significancia estadísticas fueron: T.P en I.A con 56.66% menor que en M.N con 76.92%, en N.C.P para I.A con 7.06, menor que en M.N de 8.725, P.V.L.C en I.A de 1.85 kg, similar a 1.74 kg, en MN. Para la relación B-C en I.A fue de 0.53 córdobas y para M.N de 0.56 córdobas.

Efecto de los factores nutricionales en la propagación in vitro de quequisque (Xanthosoma sagittifolium L.)

Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en el Laboratorio de CUltivo deTejidos Vegetales del Programa de Recursos Genéticos Nicaragüenses (REGEN) en la Universidad Nacional Agraria, con el objetivo de determinar el medio de cultivo apropiado en la micro propagación de Xanthosoma sagíttifolíum L. mediante la determinación del efecto del pH, macro y micronutrientes, sacarosa, agua de coco y vitamina. El estudio se realizó en tres etapas. En cada una se utilizó un diseño completamente aleatorizado (DCA) para evaluar las variables: altura de planta, número de raíces, número de hojas y número de hijos. En la primera etapa se evaluaron cinco grados de pH. Se estudiaron los pH 3.7, 4.7, 5.7, 6.7 y 7.7. Se hizo un análisis de regresión que demostró que pH entre 5.7 y 6.7 - produjeron los mejores resultados en todas las variables evaluadas. En la segunda etapa se evaluaron las concentraciones 50, 90 y 130 % de macro y micronutrientes utilizadas en el medio nutritivo Murashige y Skoog. Se hizo un análisis de varianza (ANDEVA) y no se encontró efecto significativo en los porcentajes de micronutrientes estudiados ni en la interacción entre macro y micronutrientes. Sin embargo, los macronutrientes presentaron efecto significativo en el número de hojas y raíces, obteniendo los mejores resultados con el 50% de macronutrientes. En la tercera etapa se estudió el efecto de diferentes concentraciones de sacarosa, agua de coco y vitamina días después de la inoculación El análisis de varianza realizado indicó que la sacarosa presentó efecto significativo en todas las variables estudiadas. Con 30 g/1 de sacarosa se obtuvo el mayor promedio de altura de planta y el mayor número de hijos. Con 45 g/1 el mayor número de raíces y el mayor número de hojas se obtuvo con 15 g/1. El agua de coco presentó efecto significativo en todas las variables. El uso de 150 ml/1 de agua de coco produjo los mejores promedios en altura de planta, número de raíces y número de hijos; sin embargo con 50 ml/1 se obtuvo el mayor número de hojas. La vitamina B12 (tiamina HCl) presentó efecto simple significativo en las variables altura de planta y número de hijos obteniendo los mayores promedios con 10 ml/1. En el número de hojas presentó efecto en interacción con la sacarosa y en el número de raíces no hubo efecto significativo.