Design Of Lunar-Gravity-Assisted Escape Trajectories

Lunar gravity assist is a means to boost the energy and C3 of an escape trajectory. Trajectories with two lunar gravity assists are considered and analyzed. Two approaches are applied and tested for the design of missions aimed at Near-Earth asteroids. In the first method, indirect optimization of the heliocentric leg is combined to an approximate analytical treatment of the geocentric phase for short escape trajectories. In the second method, the results of pre-computed maps of escape C3 are employed for the design of longer Sun-perturbed escape sequences combined with direct optimization of the heliocentric leg. Features are compared and suggestions about a combined use of the approaches are presented. The techniques are efficiently applied to the design of a mission to a near-Earth asteroid

Organization of aerobactin, hemolysin, and antibacterial resistance genes in lactose negative Escherichia coli strains of serotype O4 isolated from children with dhiarrea

Epidemiologically related, non-lactose-fermenting (NLF) Escherichia coli strains of serotype O4 have been isolated at a high frequency from children with diarrhea in Somalia (M. Nicoletti, F. Superti, C. Conti, A. Calconi, and C. Zagaglia, J. Clin. Microbiol. 26:524-529, 1988). In order to define the virulence potential of these strains, we characterized the replication properties of their high-molecular-weight plasmids and studied the genetic locations and organization of the aerobactin (aer) and hemolysin (hly) determinants encoded by 23 NLF O4 E. coli strains. Southern blot hybridizations, mobilization assays of nonconjugative plasmids, and incompatibility-exclusion experiments conducted with a conjugative incompatibility group FI (IncFI) plasmid showed that (i) 20 out of the 23 strains examined harbor a 160- to 180-kb IncFI plasmid that shares homology with the basic replicons RepFIA, RepFIB, and (except for the plasmid of one strain) RepFIC, and 22 strains also contain a 40- to 140-kb IncFII plasmid sharing homology with the RepFIIA replicon; (ii) the IncFI plasmid is nonconjugative and carries antibiotic resistance genes; (iii) the aer system is located on the IncFI plasmids and/or the chromosomes in the three strains not harboring IncFI, and it is found in an inverted orientation; (iv) the hly determinants are located on the chromosome, and their genetic organization is well conserved and closely resembles that of the reference hemolytic plasmid pHly152; and (v) Hly- mutants obtained by transposon insertion mutagenesis are not cytotoxic to HeLa cell monolayers, indicating that hemolysin is responsible for the high cytotoxic activity we have previously reported for these strains. The structural organization of the plasmid-encoded aer operon, together with the finding that those plasmids also carry antibiotic resistance genes, indicates that the IncFI plasmid of the NLF O4 E. coli strains studied more closely resembles aer-encoding virulence IncFI Salmonella R plasmids than E. coli ColV plasmids. The data presented here cannot rule out whether the strains examined are potentially intestinal or extraintestinal pathogens. Nevertheless, the genetic organization of the virulence genes, together with the epidemiological behavior and the wide spectrum of antibiotic resistance of the NLF O4 E. coli strains, indicates that these strains are structured as typical E. coli pathogenic isolates of human origin

Simple Δv approximation for optimization of debris-to-debris transfers

In this paper, a simple analytical method is developed to accurately approximate the transfer costs between two objects of the removal sequence. The accuracy of these estimations is verified by comparison with existing optimized solutions.Rendezvous transfers between two given orbits are dealt with using an accurate dynamic model that takes J2 perturbation into account. The state-of-the-art solution winner of the ninth Global Trajectory Optimization Competition (GTOC9) by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is used as benchmark to verify the accuracy of the method presented in this paper

Optimal Trajectories for Near-Earth-Objects Using Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) and Gravity Assisted Maneuver

The future interplanetary missions will probably use the conventional chemical rockets to leave the sphere of influence of the Earth, and solar electric propulsion (SEP) to accomplish the other maneuvers of the mission. In this work the optimization of interplanetary missions using solar electric propulsion and Gravity Assisted Maneuver to reduce the costs of the mission, is considered. The high specific impulse of electric propulsion makes a Gravity Assisted Maneuver 1 year after departure convenient. Missions for several Near Earth Asteroids will be considered. The analysis suggests criteria for the definition of initial solutions demanded for the process of optimization of trajectories. Trajectories for the asteroid 2002TC70 are analyzed. Direct trajectories, trajectories with 1 gravity assisted from the Earth and with 2 gravity assisted from the Earth and either Mars are present. An indirect optimization method will be used in the simulations

Theoretical investigation of responsivity/NEP trade-off in NIR graphene/semiconductor schottky photodetectors operating at room temperature

In this work we theoretically investigate the responsivity/noise equivalent power (NEP) trade-off in graphene/semiconductor Schottky photodetectors (PDs) operating in the near-infrared regime and working at room temperature. Our analysis shows that the responsivity/NEP ratio is strongly dependent on the Schottky barrier height (SBH) of the junction, and we derive a closed analytical formula for maximizing it. In addition, we theoretically discuss how the SBH is related to the reverse voltage applied to the junction in order to show how these devices could be optimized in practice for different semiconductors. We found that graphene/n-silicon (Si) Schottky PDs could be optimized at 1550 nm, showing a responsivity and NEP of 133 mA/W and 500 fW/√ Hz, respectively, with a low reverse bias of only 0.66 V. Moreover, we show that graphene/n-germanium (Ge) Schottky PDs optimized in terms of responsivity/NEP ratio could be employed at 2000 nm with a responsivity and NEP of 233 mA/W and 31 pW/√ Hz, respectively. We believe that our insights are of great importance in the field of silicon photonics for the realization of Si-based PDs to be employed in power monitoring, lab-on-chip and environment monitoring applications

Robust Design Approaches for Hybrid Rocket Upper Stage

Computational costs of robust-based design optimization methods may be very high. Evaluation of new procedures for the management of uncertainty with applications to hybrid rocket engines is here carried out. Two newly developed procedures are presented (hybrid algorithm and iterated local search), and their performances are compared with those of two previously developed procedures (genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimization). A liquid oxygen/paraffin-based fuel hybrid rocket engine that powers the third stage of a Vega-like launcher is considered. The conditions at third-stage ignition are assigned, and a proper set of parameters are used to define the engine design and compute the payload mass. Uncertainties in the regression rate are taken into account. An indirect trajectory optimization approach is used to determine a mission-specific objective function, which takes into account both the payload mass and ability of the rocket to reach the required final orbit despite uncertainties. Results show that for this kind of problem, particle swarm optimization and iterated local search outperform the genetic algorithm, but the use of a local search operator may slightly improve its performance

Mars Sample Return Mission: Mars Ascent Vehicle Propulsion Design

The aim of this research is to analyze a potential Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission through the study of an optimized design of the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) propulsion system. The main goal of the MSR mission is to return to Earth samples of rocks and dust collected by a rover operating on the surface of Mars, and conveyed to the MAV into an Orbit Sample (OS) canister. The MAV must accomplish an initial ascent phase from the Mars surface to a circular Low Mars Orbit (LMO) with a radius of 500 Km and 30° inclination, and then with its second stage it must circularize into the target LMO where it releases the OS payload. A combination of the MAV and a second vehicle, the Mars Earth Return Vehicle (MERV) orbiter, is required to fulfill the final return phase from Mars to the Earth. After completing three different phases of rendezvous operations, with a final Hohmann Transfer the MERV is able to bring the OS to Earth with its payload. A spreadsheet model enables the evaluation of two different MAV architecture: a two-stage solid rocket, and a two-stage hybrid rocket. The study is based on the main rocket science equations, including the Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation that calculates the change in velocity Delta V for the two stages of the MAV and the amount of propellant needed for both stages. From the analysis it can be noted that the two-stage hybrid design has significant advantages, firstly in terms of Gross Lift Off Mass GLOM (270 Kg) when compared to the solid solution (355 Kg). The hybrid rocket also has lower mass by up to 60 Kg since it does not require a thermal igloo. Finally, the mass fractions for both stages are comparable, and the required Delta V for the hybrid stages are less than those needed for the solid, allowing considerable fuel savings. The hybrid solution is ultimately preferred, considering the best performance related to the thermal fuel properties enabling the MAV to safely operated in the harsh Martian environment

Resolution of cystoid macular edema following arginine-restricted diet and vitamin B6 supplementation in a case of gyrate atrophy.

We report the outcome of 3 years of arginine-restricted diet and vitamin B6 supplementation in a boy who presented with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina and bilateral cystoid macular edema. The diagnosis of gyrate atrophy was made on the basis of clinical findings and increased plasma ornithine levels. Molecular genetic testing revealed a disease-causing homozygous mutation in the ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) gene. After 3 months of dietary modification and pyridoxine supplementation, visual acuity improved, and optical coherence tomography showed resolution of cystoid macular edema in both eyes. This anatomical and functional improvement was maintained during 3 years of follow-up

Deep learning for knowledge tracing in learning analytics: An overview

Learning Analytics (LA) is a recent research branch that refers to methods for measuring, collecting, analyzing, and reporting learners’ data, in order to better understand and optimize the processes and the environments. Knowledge Tracing (KT) deals with the modeling of the evolution, during the time, of the students’ learning process. Particularly its aim is to predict students’ outcomes in order to avoid failures and to support both students and teachers. Recently, KT has been tackled by exploiting Deep Learning (DL) models and generating a new, ongoing, research line that is known as Deep Knowledge Tracing (DKT). This was made possible by the digitalization process that has simplified the gathering of educational data from many different sources such as online learning platforms, intelligent objects, and mainstream IT-based systems for education. DKT predicts the student’s performances by using the information embedded in the collected data. Moreover, it has been shown to be able to outperform the state-of-the-art models for KT. In this paper, we briefly describe the most promising DL models, by focusing on their prominent contribution in solving the KT task