Analytical solutions to rocket performance with an arbitrary thrust programme having constant thrust inclination with respect to the horizon in vacuum

The present investigations pertain to rocket performance due to manoevering in a vacuum with any arbitrary thrust inclined at a constant angle with respect to the horizon. Considering the variable thrust either as a function of time, or mass ratio, it is established that dynamical equations projected on the horizontal and vertical directions can be solved analytically; closed-form solutions to the overall range, endurance and final or impact velocity arising out of both burning and coasting phases can be achieved depending on the nature of the thrust function. However, in the first section the thrust inclination is made equal to 90°, in so much so that the path of the rocket becomes vertical evoking the determination, for this case, of its peak velocity and altitude. Finally, this analysis leads us to conclude that with the same propellant mass ratio, initial mass, and thrust inclination to the horizon, a programme of any greater thrust is superior to that of any lower thrust: Rocket performance with an arbitrary thrust programme of greater thrust function evolves greater peak altitude for vertical path, and greater overall range, albeit shorter burnout range, for the curvilinear path.     

Improved linear embeddings via Lagrange duality

Machine Learning - Near isometric orthogonal embeddings to lower dimensions are a fundamental tool in data science and machine learning. In this paper, we present the construction of such...     

An integrated fuzzy DEMATEL,TOPSIS, and ELECTRE approach for evaluating knowledge transfer effectiveness with reference to GSD project outcome

Neural Computing and Applications - The offshore/onsite teams’ knowledge transfer (KT) effectiveness is one of the key determinants for achieving the outcome of global software development...     

Design of a linear array of fractal antennas with high directivity and low cross‐polarization for dedicated short range communication application

In this article, the authors proposed an eight‐element linear array of fractal antennas for dedicated short range communication (DSRC; 5.9 GHz) service band. The single element of the array is a newly proposed fractal antenna whose radiating patch is derived from the Fibonacci series with the incorporation of Koch snowflake, and it poses a 2D quadrantal symmetry. The gain of the structure is improved by down shifting the radiating patch with respect to its ground plane. The feed network of the array is designed in such a manner to make the structure compact as well as to use the advantage of array mutual coupling for improving the array radiation pattern. The fabricated single element gives 7.54 dB gain and 128 MHz bandwidth with a radiation efficiency of η = 85.11%. The prototype array gives 15.18 dB gain with 105 MHz bandwidth and radiation efficiency of η = 72.12%. The measured cross‐polarization of single element and the array along the direction of the main beam are less than ?80 dB and ?60 dB, respectively, in both the xz‐ and yz‐plane. Both single element and the array are capable of satisfying the bandwidth requirements for DSRC applications.     

Effect of Secondary Structure and Side Chain Length of Hydrophobic Amino Acid Residues on the Antimicrobial Activity and Toxicity of 14-Residue-Long de novo AMPs

Herein we report the efficacy and toxicity of three de novo designed cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) LL-14, VV-14 and ββ-14, where side chains of the hydrophobic amino acids were reduced gradually. The AMPs showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against three pathogens from the ESKAPE group and two fungal strains. This study showed that side chains which are either too long or too short increase toxicity and lower antimicrobial activity, respectively. VV-14 was found to be non-cytotoxic and highly potent under physiological salt concentrations against several pathogens, especially Salmonella typhi TY2. These AMPs acted via membrane deformation, depolarization, and lysis. The activity of the AMPs is related to their ability to take on amphipathic helical conformations in the presence of microbial membrane mimics. Among AMPs with the same charge, hydrophobic interactions between the side chains of the residues with cell membrane lipids determine their antimicrobial potency and cytotoxicity. Strikingly, an optimum hydrophobic interaction is the crux of generating highly potent non-cytotoxic AMPs.     

Nano-twinned structure and photocatalytic properties under visible light for undoped nano-titania synthesised by hydrothermal reaction in water-ethanol mixture

Nano-TiO₂ crystals showing visible light driven photocatalytic activity were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction in an ethanol-water mixture. The experiments were conducted to optimise the synthesis conditions for nano titania, in the range of temperature from 200 to 400 °C. X-ray diffraction depicted that the products obtained were anatase at 250 °C and above. For the products obtained at 250 °C, detailed analysis was conducted since it depicted high crystallinity with smallest particle sizes. Shape of the crystal was rounded rectangular with the size of 4 ± 1 nm to 7 ± 1 nm. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed the existence of novel nano-twin structure in anatase grains and surface defects around the nanocrystals. Photocatalytic property was investigated for these undoped titania samples under UV and visible light. The nano twin structure, surface defects, and nano-meter size of the synthesized titania are believed to play a crucial role for the high catalytic activity.     

Preparation of asymmetric polysulfone/polyimide blended membranes for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> separation

Asymmetric Flat sheet polysulfone-polyimide (PSF-PI) blended polymeric membranes (with PI content from 5–20%) have been fabricated following phase inversion technique. The membranes have been thoroughly characterized by the measurement of porosity, mechanical properties and also by SEM, FTIR and DSC analyses. With the increase in the PI content, the mechanical properties of the membranes, like Young’s modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break, increased. SEM investigations revealed that the surfaces of fabricated blended membranes possessed adequate homogeneity and their cross-sections showed non-porous top and diminutive porous substructure. From DSC analyses it has been observed that different compositions of the blended membranes exhibited single glass transition temperatures, implying proper compatibility of the polymers. The permeance of CO₂ and CH₄ through the membrane increased with the increase in PI content and it gradually decreased with the increase in the feed pressure in the range of 2–10 bar. Under the present investigation, the membrane with 20% PI content exhibited the maximum selectivity for the separation of CO₂/CH₄ gas mixes.     

Effect of divalent cation addition on structure,conductivity and grain boundary properties in La doped ceria oxygen ion conductors

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of divalent cations on the structure and electrical properties of Ce_0.85La_0.1D_0.05O_2-δ (D = Ca, Sr and Ba) oxygen ion conductors. The X-Ray structural analysis confirms the presence of CeDO₃ minor phase in addition to cubic fluorite phase of ceria in Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ added compositions. The lattice parameter of the compositions significantly depends on the ionic radius of dopants and the presence of D²⁺ ions in ceria lattice. The Ca²⁺ added composition shows the highest free oxygen vacancy concentration due to its lowest association energy and complete dissolution of Ca²⁺ ions into ceria lattice. The dopant-vacancy association energy and grain interior conductivity changes with the ionic radii of the divalent dopants. The grain boundary capacitance depends on dielectric constant, grain size and grain boundary thickness. The grain boundary conductivity shows 46% over total conductivity for Sr²⁺ added composition. The presence of CeDO₃ phase and space charge layer promotes the grain boundary resistances and affects the ion dynamics. Schematic models are proposed to understand the ion migration in grain boundaries. The scavenging effect is found to be highest in Sr²⁺ ions added composition. The defect structures, the presence of CeDO3 phase and electrical properties are correlated with each other.