2,964 research outputs found
Conceptual design of a fixed-pitch wind turbine generator system rated at 400 kilowatts
The design and cost aspects of a fixed pitch, 400 kW Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) concept are presented. Improvements in reliability and cost reductions were achieved with fixed pitch operation and by incorporating recent advances in WTG technology. The specifications for this WTG concept were as follows: (1) A fixed pitch, continuous wooden rotor was to be provided by the Gougeon Bros. Co. (2) An 8 leg hyperboloid tower that showed promise as a low cost structure was to be used. (3) Only commercially available components and parts that could be easily fabricated were to be considered. (4) Design features deemed desirable based on recent NASA research efforts were to be incorporated. Detailed costs and weight estimates were prepared for the second machine and a wind farm of 12 WTG's. The calculated cost of energy for the fixed pitch, twelve unit windfarm is 11.5 cents/kW hr not including the cost of land and access roads. The study shows feasibility of fixed pitch, intermediate power WTG operation
Occurrence of a Gynandromorphic Bombus bimaculatus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Southeastern Ohio
Herein, we introduce the first reported case of gynandromorphy in the bumblebee Bombus bimaculatus (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a relatively common North American species found east of the Mississippi River. The specimen was collected in Marietta, Ohio as part of a bee diversity assessment project for Washington County. Gynanders exhibit discrete male and female characters in a single individual. We discuss the potential causes of gynandromorphy exhibited by this specimen, which has differing antennal segments (12 and 13), facial maculation, abdominal hair coloration, and the presence of a corbicula ā secondary sex characters that are characteristic for the genus Bombus
Using Peptidomimetics and Constrained Peptides as Valuable Tools for Inhibiting Proteinā»Protein Interactions.
Proteinā»protein interactions (PPIs) are tremendously important for the function of many biological processes. However, because of the structure of many proteinā»protein interfaces (flat, featureless and relatively large), they have largely been overlooked as potential drug targets. In this review, we highlight the current tools used to study the molecular recognition of PPIs through the use of different peptidomimetics, from small molecules and scaffolds to peptides. Then, we focus on constrained peptides, and in particular, ways to constrain Ī±-helices through stapling using both one- and two-component techniques
Rational methods for the selection of diverse screening compounds.
Traditionally a pursuit of large pharmaceutical companies, high-throughput screening assays are becoming increasingly common within academic and government laboratories. This shift has been instrumental in enabling projects that have not been commercially viable, such as chemical probe discovery and screening against high-risk targets. Once an assay has been prepared and validated, it must be fed with screening compounds. Crafting a successful collection of small molecules for screening poses a significant challenge. An optimized collection will minimize false positives while maximizing hit rates of compounds that are amenable to lead generation and optimization. Without due consideration of the relevant protein targets and the downstream screening assays, compound filtering and selection can fail to explore the great extent of chemical diversity and eschew valuable novelty. Herein, we discuss the different factors to be considered and methods that may be employed when assembling a structurally diverse compound collection for screening. Rational methods for selecting diverse chemical libraries are essential for their effective use in high-throughput screens.We are grateful for financial support from the MRC, Wellcome Trust, CRUK, EPSRC, BBSRC and Newman Trust.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from American Chemical Society via http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb100420
Isotropic 3D topological phases with broken time reversal symmetry
Axial vectors, such as current or magnetization, are commonly used order
parameters in time-reversal symmetry breaking systems. These vectors also break
isotropy in three dimensional systems, lowering the spatial symmetry. We
demonstrate that it is possible to construct a fully isotropic and
inversion-symmetric three-dimensional medium where time-reversal symmetry is
systematically broken. We devise a cubic crystal with scalar time-reversal
symmetry breaking, implemented by hopping through chiral magnetic clusters
along the crystal bonds. The presence of only the spatial symmetries of the
crystal -- finite rotation and inversion symmetry -- is sufficient to protect a
topological phase. The realization of this phase in amorphous systems with
average continuous rotation symmetry yields a statistical topological insulator
phase. We demonstrate the topological nature of our model by constructing a
bulk integer topological invariant, which guarantees gapless surface spectrum
on any surface with several overlapping Dirac nodes, analogous to crystalline
mirror Chern insulators. We also show the expected transport properties of a
three-dimensional statistical topological insulator, which remains critical on
the surface for odd values of the invariant.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure
Double-sided coaxial circuit QED with out-of-plane wiring
Superconducting circuits are well established as a strong candidate platform
for the development of quantum computing. In order to advance to a practically
useful level, architectures are needed which combine arrays of many qubits with
selective qubit control and readout, without compromising on coherence. Here we
present a coaxial circuit QED architecture in which qubit and resonator are
fabricated on opposing sides of a single chip, and control and readout wiring
are provided by coaxial wiring running perpendicular to the chip plane. We
present characterisation measurements of a fabricated device in good agreement
with simulated parameters and demonstrating energy relaxation and dephasing
times of s and s respectively. The architecture
allows for scaling to large arrays of selectively controlled and measured
qubits with the advantage of all wiring being out of the plane.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
Cycle O(CY1991) NLS trade studies and analyses report. Book 2, part 2: Propulsion
This report documents the propulsion system tasks performed in support of the National Launch System (NLS) Cycle O preliminary design activities. The report includes trades and analyses covering the following subjects: (1) Maximum Tank Stretch Study; (2) No LOX Bleed Performance Analysis; (3) LOX Bleed Trade Study; (4) LO2 Tank Pressure Limits; (5) LOX Tank Pressurization System Using Helium; (6) Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) Heat Exchanger Performance; (7) LH2 Passive Recirculation Performance Analysis; (8) LH2 Bleed/Recirculation Study; (9) LH2 Tank Pressure Limits; and (10) LH2 Pressurization System. For each trade study an executive summary and a detailed trade study are provided. For the convenience of the reader, a separate section containing a compilation of only the executive summaries is also provided
Bio-Inspired Group Behaviors for the Deployment of a Swarm of Robots to Multiple Destinations
We present a methodology for characterizing and synthesizing swarm behaviors using both a macroscopic model that represents a swarm as a continuum and a microscopic model that represents individual robots. We develop a systematic approach for synthesizing behaviors at the macroscopic level that can be realized on individual robots at the microscopic level. Our methodology is inspired by a dynamical model of ant house hunting [1], a decentralized process in which a colony attempts to emigrate to the best site among several alternatives. The model is hybrid because the colony switches between different sets of behaviors, or modes, during this process. At the macroscopic level, we are able to synthesize controllers that result in the deployment of a robotic swarm in a predefined ratio between distinct sites. We then derive hybrid controllers for individual robots using only local interactions and no communication that respect the specifications of the global continuous behavior. Our simulations demonstrate that our synthesis procedure yields a correct microscopic model from the macroscopic description with guarantees on performance at both levels
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