Implementation of online temperature controller based on LabVIEW

LabVIEW (Laboratory Virtual Instrumentation Engineering Workbench) is the software which gives virtual existence of hardware, reduces its cost and hence termed as Virtual Instrumentation. This thesis presents the implementation of ON/OFF and PID controller for controlling the temperature of a heating element inside a wooden box with the help of LabVIEW. In this software, DataSocket Protocol and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) are used for developing an online transmission process between client and server. Client has control over the set point and Server has control over the temperature. With the help of internet protocol, client provides the value of set point according to which the control actions are taken by the server. The paper also includes discussions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of TCP/IP. Written communication in LabVIEW refers to communication via internet where the user can write messages to another user. Generally written communication is not found in any programming related software but LabVIEW makes this possible using internet protocol. This helps in easy and fast transmission of data in form of messages between the client and server PC(s). After the transmission process gets over, the transmitted data is used for implementing PID controller. The various responses in PID controller are obtained by varying the tuning parameters. The responses are with respect to three conditions in the controller. On studying the response curves, parameters like setting time, rise time and maximum overshoot are obtained. A comparison table is obtained for these parameters and helps in deciding to choose the values for tuning parameters of the controller

Replication of Bulky DNA Adducts

Aromatic amines are known to be strong carcinogens. After metabolic activation, they react as electrophilic arylnitrenium ions with nucleophilic functionalities of the DNA duplex interfering and disrupting DNA and RNA synthesis and leading to mutations. Preferred reaction sites are the amino groups of adenine and guanine and particularly the C8-position of guanine. During metabolic activation, aromatic amines are enzymatically acetylated at N8 position. The non-acetylated lesions reduce the replication efficiency, but are in general faithfully bypassed by high fidelity polymerases. In contrast, the acetylated derivatives block replicative polymerases but can be bypassed with special low-fidelity polymerases. The translesion synthesis DNA polymerase η, for instance, is able to bypass C8 bulky adduct lesions such as the widely studied 2-aminofluorene-dG (AF-dG) and its acetylated analogue (AAF-dG) mainly in an error-free manner. The distinct mutagenic properties of the acetylated and non-acetylated aromatic amine lesions are presumably caused by their different conformational preferences. While the non-acetylated lesions exist in both syn and anti conformation, the corresponding acetylated lesion seems to adopt the syn-conformation with high preference. The mechanism that allows low-fidelity polymerases such as Pol η to replicate past acetylated AAF-dG lesions is still unknown. In this thesis work, the mechanism of the error-free bypass of acetylated aromatic amine dG adducts such as the acetylaminofluorene-dG (AAF-dG) by Pol η is investigated. For that reason, AAF-dG as well as the guanine adducts of other aromatic amines (aniline, 2-aminonaphthalene, 2-aminoanthracene and 1-aminopyrene) were synthesized and successfully incorporated into various oligonucleotides via automated solid-phase DNA synthesis. The synthesized bulky adduct containing oligonucleotides were used for crystallization and for primer extension studies with the translesion synthesis (TLS) polymerase η from S. cerevisiae in order to get insights into the bypass mechanism of bulky adducts by this enzyme. In the present work, structural evidence is provided that yeast Pol η bypasses the bulky adducts AAF-dG and 2-acetylaminoanthracene-dG (AAA-dG) by rotation of the DNA around the bulky moiety, while keeping the AAF-dG in syn conformation

Improvements to the analytical performance of ion trap mass spectrometry

Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that is capable of a wide range of chemical and biological analyses. The quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer (QITMS) is known for its ruggedness, sensitivity, and high efficiency for tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments. Non-idealities in electrode geometry result in small contributions of higher order fields (HOFs) to the primary quadrupolar electric field of the ion trap. These HOFs have been useful in enhancing the resolution, MS/MS efficiency, and sensitivity in the QITMS. A portion of the work presented in this dissertation is intended to serve as a basis for improved ion trap performance through the judicious use of HOFs. Development of rf circuitry and characterization of a compensated cylindrical ion trap (CCIT) mass spectrometer, designed for studying the effects of HOFs, are also described herein. An additional set of grounded electrodes was introduced into the CCIT instrument to remove detrimental effects of capacitive coupling and HOFs were successfully introduced. Mass spectra acquired after the introduction of HOFs showed improvements to the injection efficiency over a broad range of rf voltages. The optimal conditions for resonance ejection in the CCIT occurred at an octapole HOF non-linear resonance, which gave improvements both to mass resolution and sensitivity (i.e., the number of ions detected). Resonance ejection performed at an octapole non-linear resonance was successful in improving the sensitivity of the CCIT for the analysis of volatile organic compounds in the presence of a heavy buffer gas. A novel higher order field ion trap, possessing predominantly octapole fields, was developed. This octapole ion trap exhibited higher trapping capacity than a quadrupole ion trap of similar geometry. However, mass analysis in the octapole ion trap was not achievable because ions were resonantly ejected over a broad frequency range. A second generation octapole ion trap, with improved resonance ejection characteristics, also was developed. Resonance ejection experiments in this geometry were in agreement with ion trajectory simulations, but mass analysis using resonance ejection was again not possible due to broad band ejection. A non-destructive Fourier transform detection method was simulated and found to be viable

Twenty-Fourth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Part 3: N-Z

Papers from the conference are presented, and the topics covered include the following: planetary geology, meteorites, planetary composition, meteoritic composition, planetary craters, lunar craters, meteorite craters, petrology, petrography, volcanology, planetary crusts, geochronology, geomorphism, mineralogy, lithology, planetary atmospheres, impact melts, K-T Boundary Layer, volcanoes, planetary evolution, tectonics, planetary mapping, asteroids, comets, lunar soil, lunar rocks, lunar geology, metamorphism, chemical composition, meteorite craters, planetary mantles, and space exploration

Modelling, Simulation and Data Analysis in Acoustical Problems

Modelling and simulation in acoustics is currently gaining importance. In fact, with the development and improvement of innovative computational techniques and with the growing need for predictive models, an impressive boost has been observed in several research and application areas, such as noise control, indoor acoustics, and industrial applications. This led us to the proposal of a special issue about “Modelling, Simulation and Data Analysis in Acoustical Problems”, as we believe in the importance of these topics in modern acoustics’ studies. In total, 81 papers were submitted and 33 of them were published, with an acceptance rate of 37.5%. According to the number of papers submitted, it can be affirmed that this is a trending topic in the scientific and academic community and this special issue will try to provide a future reference for the research that will be developed in coming years

Preliminary subsystem designs for the Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV), volume 1

A series of design studies is presented concerning the Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) for Space Station Freedom. Four alternate designs are presented for the ACRV braking and landing system. Options presented include: ballistic and lifting body reentries; the use of high-lift, high-payload aerodynamic decelerators, as well as conventional parachutes; landing systems designed for water landings, land landings, or both; and an aerial recovery system. All four design options presented combine some or all of the above attributes, and all meet performance requirements established by the ACRV Program Office. Two studies of ACRV growth options are also presented. Use of the ACRV or a similarly designed vehicle in several roles for possible future space missions is discussed, along with the required changes to a basic ACRV to allow it to perform these missions optimally. The outcome of these studies is a set of recommendations to the ACRV Program Office describing the vehicle characteristics of the basic ACRV which lend themselves most readily to be adapted for use in other missions. Finally, the impacts on the design of the ACRV due to its role as a medical emergency vehicle were studied and are presented. The use of the ACRV in this manner will impact its shape, internal configuration, and equipment