System modes and dynamics of the proposed space station type configurations

The paper studies libration/vibration interaction dynamics of the space station Freedom during its evolutionary phases. To that end, a relatively general nonlinear formulation, applicable to a system of interconnected plate and beam-type structural members forming a tree topology is developed. System modes, obtained through a finite element analysis, are employed in the discretization process and the response study is purposely confined to the orbital plane to emphasize interactions between librational dynamics and flexibility. Finally, an approximate closed-form nonlinear solution of the problem is attempted using the variation of parameters method. Its validity is assessed through comparison with the numerically obtained results over a range of system parameters and initial conditions. Results provide information pertaining to the levels of librational and vibrational response and the associated acceleration tield, which may prove helpful in appropriately locating experiments and monitoring instruments. It may also aid in the planning of the control system. The analytical approach provides surprisingly close correlation with the more elaborate numerical procedure, thus promising better physical appreciation of the complex interactions as well as a considerable saving in the computational cost.     

Bound vortex boundary layer control with application to V/STOL airplanes

Effectiveness of the bound vortex boundary layer control is assessed with reference to airfoils modified with a leading edge rotating cylinder. Results of the test program and the numerical models suggest the following:

• The surface singularity method in conjunction with the boundary layer correction scheme is capable of predicting useful information concerning bound vortex boundary layer control. The predicted pressure distributions are in good agreement with experiment almost up to the point of complete separation from the the airfoil surface except near the trailing edge where more accurate results of the flow field would require the modelling of the separated flow region using the full Navier-Stokes equations.

• The concept of bound vortex boundary layer control appears to be quite promising. With cylinder rotation. the flow never separated completely from the upper surface. The higher rates of rotation promoted reattachment of the partially separated flow giving a significant improvement in the maximum lift and stall characteristics.     

Realizable planar gradient-index solar lenses

The design of single element planar hemispherical gradient-index solar lenses that can accommodate the constraints of realistic materials and fabrication techniques are presented, and simulated with an extended and polychromatic solar source for concentrator photovoltaics at flux concentration values exceeding 1000 suns. The planar hemispherical far-field lens is created from a near-field unit magnification spherical gradient-index design, and illustrated with an f/1.40 square solar lens that allows lossless packing within a concentrator module.     

Solubility and solution thermodynamics of 2, 6-bis (4-hydroybenzylidene) cyclohexanone in pure and binary solvents at various temperatures

Solubility of 2, 6-bis (4-hydroxybenzylidene) cyclohexanone (BHBC) in pure solvents such as 1,4-dioxane, methanol, 1-butanol, 1-propanol, ethyl acetate, acetone, tetrahydrofuran (THF), glacial acetic acid, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and binary solvents dimethyl formamide (DMF) and (1-Propanol + Tetrahydrofuran) were investigated by gravimetric method at different temperature range. The experiment solubility increases with increase in temperature in both pure and binary solvents. The Maximum solubility is found in DMF at 328.15 K and for binary solvent mixture i.e. 1-propanol and THF (0.9 mol fraction) it was maximum at 318.15 K. Further modified Apelblate and Buchowski-Ksiazczak models were used for the theoretical calculation of solubility of BHBC in pure as well binary solvents. A satisfactory correlation of these models with experimental data was observed. The solution thermodynamics parameters like enthalpies, Gibb's free energy of dissolution and entropy of solutions were calculated using Van't Hoff and Gibb's equation, which reveals the solvation mechanism is non-spontaneous and entropy driven.     

Estimates for Solutions of the \bar{\partial}-Equation and Application to the Characterization of the Zero Varieties of the Functions of the Nevanlinna Class for Lineally Convex Domains of Finite Type

In the last ten years, the resolution of the equation \(\bar{\partial}u=f\) with sharp estimates has been intensively studied for convex domains of finite type in \(\mathbb{C}^{n}\) by many authors. Generally, they used kernels constructed with holomorphic support function satisfying “good” global estimates. In this paper, we consider the case of lineally convex domains. Unfortunately, the method used to obtain global estimates for the support function cannot be carried out in that case. Then we use a kernel that does not directly give a solution of the \(\bar{\partial}\) -equation, but only a representation formula which allows us to end the resolution of the equation using Kohn’s L ² theory. As an application, we give the characterization of the zero sets of the functions of the Nevanlinna class for lineally convex domains of finite type.     

Localized canting of spins structure in the spinel oxide system: ZnzTizFe2−x−zCrx−zCoO4

The spinel oxide system Zn_zTi_zFe_2−x−zCr_x−zCoO₄; z=x²; x=0.60, 0.65, 0.70 and 0.80, was studied using neutron diffraction technique, low field DC magnetization measurements (ZFC–FC measurements), magnetic hysterisis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and low field AC susceptibility measurements. All the compositions show significantly less B-site magnetic moments at 10 K temperature derived from neutron diffraction data than the free ions site moments deduced assuming collinear arrangement of spins. This combined with some other features seen in the low temperature neutron diffraction patterns suggest localized canting of spins (LCS) type of magnetic ordering in the present system where a long range order of longitudinal component of moments co-exists along with totally disordered transverse component of moments. The conclusion is also supported by the features seen in the other measurements. The magnetic moments derived from 10 K neutron diffraction data are explained using the LCS approach for different exchange integrals ratios.     

Azo calix[4]arene based neodymium(III)-selective PVC membrane sensor

We found that the PVC membrane, containing azo calix[4]arene is a suitable ionophore, exhibited a Nernstian response for neodymium (Nd³⁺) ions (with slope of 19.8 ± 0.2 mV decade⁻¹ for the triply charged ion) over a wide linear range of 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹, a relatively fast response time, in the whole concentration range (<10 s), and a considerable life time at least for four months in the pH range of 4.0-8.0. Furthermore, the electrode revealed high selectivity with respect to all the common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, including the members of the lanthanide family other than Nd³⁺. Concerning its applications, it was effectively employed for the determination of neodymium ions in industrial waste water as well as in lake water.     

Zeolite-Y entrapped bivalent transition metal complexes as hybrid nanocatalysts: density functional theory investigation and catalytic aspects

The intriguing research toward the exploitation of zeolite-Y-based hybrid nanocatalysts for catalytic oxidation reactions has been growing significantly. In the present investigation, we describe the synthesis of zeolite-Y entrapped transition metal complexes of the general formulae [M(SFCH)·xH₂O]-Y (where, M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni (x = 3) and Cu (x = 1)); H₂SFCH = (E)-N′-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)furan-2-carbohydrazide]. These nanocatalysts have been characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Density functional theory calculations are performed to address the relaxed geometry, bond angle, bond length, dihedral angle, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap, and electronic density of states of H₂SFCH ligand and their neat transition metal complexes. The observed HOMO–LUMO gap and the Fermi energy is higher for Cu(II) complexes, which demonstrates the better catalytic activity of this nanocatalyst. The catalytic activity was performed in liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant to give cyclohexanone (CyONE) and cyclohexanol (CyOL). Among them, [Cu(SFCH)·H₂O]-Y catalyst has the highest selectivity toward CyONE (84.5%).     

Synthesis of novel biaryl 2-benzimidazoles and 2-benzothiazoles

Herein, we describe the synthesis of the novel 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)isoxazol-5-amine (7) and 4-(1H-benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)isoxazol-5-amine scaffolds (8). Initial attempts following literature procedures for the synthesis of similar compounds did not yield the desired product. Instead we obtained the ring-opened adduct 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-ylidene)-2-cyanoacetamide (5). We were able to modify reaction conditions and successfully synthesize the desired product. We also describe a convenient one-pot microwave-assisted relay reaction for the synthesis of novel and reported 2-substituted benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles from inexpensive, commercially available reagents, 2-benzothiazole acetonitrile (2) and 2-benzimidazole acetonitrile (1). In all cases, good yields of products were obtained and reaction times were significantly reduced.     

Assessment of the metabolic profile in Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism through proton MR spectroscopy

The metabolic changes in the brain of patients affected with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) alone, both Type 2 DM and hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism only were investigated using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS). Single-voxel spectroscopy was carried out in right and left frontal lobe white matter, left parietal white matter and left occipital gray matter. Choline (Cho)/creatine (Cr) value was found to be increased in the left occipital gray matter of the subjects affected with Type 2 DM and both Type 2 DM and hypothyroidism as compared to controls. No significant change in the Cho/Cr value in the occipital gray matter was observed in hypothyroid subjects as compared to controls. However, they showed an increased level of Cho/Cr in the frontal white matter. High Cho is associated with altered membrane phospholipid metabolism. The high Cho in frontal white matter in hypothyroids and occipital gray matter in diabetic patients suggests that, though both the diseases are endocrine disorders, they differ from each other in terms of regional brain metabolite changes.