487 research outputs found
Cauchy problem for the Boltzmann-BGK model near a global Maxwellian
In this paper, we are interested in the Cauchy problem for the Boltzmann-BGK
model for a general class of collision frequencies. We prove that the
Boltzmann-BGK model linearized around a global Maxwellian admits a unique
global smooth solution if the initial perturbation is sufficiently small in a
high order energy norm. We also establish an asymptotic decay estimate and
uniform -stability for nonlinear perturbations.Comment: 26 page
Higher-order Continuum Approximation for Rarefied Gases
The Hilbert-Chapman-Enskog expansion of the kinetic equations in mean flight
times is believed to be asymptotic rather than convergent. It is therefore
inadvisable to use lower order results to simplify the current approximation as
is done in the traditional Chapman-Enskog procedure, since that is an iterative
method. By avoiding such recycling of lower order results, one obtains
macroscopic equations that are asymptotically equivalent to the ones found in
the Chapman-Enskog approach. The new equations contain higher order terms that
are discarded in the Chapman-Enskog method. These make a significant impact on
the results for such problems as ultrasound propagation. In this paper, it is
shown that these results turn out well with relatively little complication when
the expansions are carried to second order in the mean free time, for the
example of the relaxation or BGK model of kinetic theory.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figures, RevTeX 4 macro
Instability and multiple steady states in a meridional-plane model of the thermohaline circulation
A meridional-plane model of the thermohaline circulation with a simple friction force and advection and vertical diffusion of the T-S field has been used to demonstrate the instability and existence of multiple steady states associated with “mixed” T-S boundary conditions (specified temperature, flux condition for salinity). With forcing and geometry symmetric to the equator, the symmetric solution was found to be unstable to infinitesimal perturbations, and an asymmetric pole-to-pole circulation was the end-result in all cases. The structure obtained for the meridional-plane stream function and for the poleward heat flux are in qualitative agreement with those obtained by Bryan (1986). Convective overturning caused by static instability was not found to be essential for the transition to the asymmetric steady state. The study suggests that certain aspects of the ocean circulation, in particular those related to the ocean climate, may be profitably explored by use of two-dimensional, zonally averaged models
Granular mixtures modeled as elastic hard spheres subject to a drag force
Granular gaseous mixtures under rapid flow conditions are usually modeled by
a multicomponent system of smooth inelastic hard spheres with constant
coefficients of normal restitution. In the low density regime an adequate
framework is provided by the set of coupled inelastic Boltzmann equations. Due
to the intricacy of the inelastic Boltzmann collision operator, in this paper
we propose a simpler model of elastic hard spheres subject to the action of an
effective drag force, which mimics the effect of dissipation present in the
original granular gas. The Navier--Stokes transport coefficients for a binary
mixture are obtained from the model by application of the Chapman--Enskog
method. The three coefficients associated with the mass flux are the same as
those obtained from the inelastic Boltzmann equation, while the remaining four
transport coefficients show a general good agreement, especially in the case of
the thermal conductivity. Finally, the approximate decomposition of the
inelastic Boltzmann collision operator is exploited to construct a model
kinetic equation for granular mixtures as a direct extension of a known kinetic
model for elastic collisions.Comment: The title has been changed, 4 figures, and to be published in Phys.
Rev.
Uniform shear flow in dissipative gases. Computer simulations of inelastic hard spheres and (frictional) elastic hard spheres
In the preceding paper (cond-mat/0405252), we have conjectured that the main
transport properties of a dilute gas of inelastic hard spheres (IHS) can be
satisfactorily captured by an equivalent gas of elastic hard spheres (EHS),
provided that the latter are under the action of an effective drag force and
their collision rate is reduced by a factor (where is
the constant coefficient of normal restitution). In this paper we test the
above expectation in a paradigmatic nonequilibrium state, namely the simple or
uniform shear flow, by performing Monte Carlo computer simulations of the
Boltzmann equation for both classes of dissipative gases with a dissipation
range and two values of the imposed shear rate .
The distortion of the steady-state velocity distribution from the local
equilibrium state is measured by the shear stress, the normal stress
differences, the cooling rate, the fourth and sixth cumulants, and the shape of
the distribution itself. In particular, the simulation results seem to be
consistent with an exponential overpopulation of the high-velocity tail. The
EHS results are in general hardly distinguishable from the IHS ones if
, so that the distinct signature of the IHS gas (higher
anisotropy and overpopulation) only manifests itself at relatively high
dissipationsComment: 23 pages; 18 figures; Figs. 2 and 9 include new simulations; two new
figures added; few minor changes; accepted for publication in PR
System of elastic hard spheres which mimics the transport properties of a granular gas
The prototype model of a fluidized granular system is a gas of inelastic hard
spheres (IHS) with a constant coefficient of normal restitution . Using
a kinetic theory description we investigate the two basic ingredients that a
model of elastic hard spheres (EHS) must have in order to mimic the most
relevant transport properties of the underlying IHS gas. First, the EHS gas is
assumed to be subject to the action of an effective drag force with a friction
constant equal to half the cooling rate of the IHS gas, the latter being
evaluated in the local equilibrium approximation for simplicity. Second, the
collision rate of the EHS gas is reduced by a factor , relative
to that of the IHS gas. Comparison between the respective Navier-Stokes
transport coefficients shows that the EHS model reproduces almost perfectly the
self-diffusion coefficient and reasonably well the two transport coefficients
defining the heat flux, the shear viscosity being reproduced within a deviation
less than 14% (for ). Moreover, the EHS model is seen to agree
with the fundamental collision integrals of inelastic mixtures and dense gases.
The approximate equivalence between IHS and EHS is used to propose kinetic
models for inelastic collisions as simple extensions of known kinetic models
for elastic collisionsComment: 20 pages; 6 figures; change of title; few minor changes; accepted for
publication in PR
Radiographic viewing conditions at Johannesburg Hospital
Purpose: To measure the luminance level of X-ray viewing boxes and ambient lighting levels in reporting rooms as a quality assurance procedure, and to compare the results with those recommended by the Directorate of Radiatio
Identification and characterization of Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 hopanoid biosynthesis mutants
Hopanes preserved in both modern and ancient sediments are recognized as the molecular fossils of bacteriohopanepolyols, pentacyclic hopanoid lipids. Based on the phylogenetic distribution of hopanoid production by extant bacteria, hopanes have been used as indicators of specific bacterial groups and/or their metabolisms. However, our ability to interpret them ultimately depends on understanding the physiological roles of hopanoids in modern bacteria. Toward this end, we set out to identify genes required for hopanoid biosynthesis in the anoxygenic phototroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 to enable selective control of hopanoid production. We attempted to delete 17 genes within a putative hopanoid biosynthetic gene cluster to determine their role, if any, in hopanoid biosynthesis. Two genes, hpnH and hpnG, are required to produce both bacteriohopanetetrol and aminobacteriohopanetriol, whereas a third gene, hpnO, is required only for aminobacteriohopanetriol production. None of the genes in this cluster are required to exclusively synthesize bacteriohopanetetrol, indicating that at least one other hopanoid biosynthesis gene is located elsewhere on the chromosome. Physiological studies with the different deletion mutants demonstrated that unmethylated and C_30 hopanoids are sufficient to maintain cytoplasmic but not outer membrane integrity. These results imply that hopanoid modifications, including methylation of the A-ring and the addition of a polar head group, may have biologic functions beyond playing a role in membrane permeability
Causal Relativistic Fluid Dynamics
We derive causal relativistic fluid dynamical equations from the relaxation
model of kinetic theory as in a procedure previously applied in the case of
non-relativistic rarefied gases. By treating space and time on an equal footing
and avoiding the iterative steps of the conventional Chapman-Enskog ---
CE---method, we are able to derive causal equations in the first order of the
expansion in terms of the mean flight time of the particles. This is in
contrast to what is found using the CE approach. We illustrate the general
results with the example of a gas of identical ultrarelativistic particles such
as photons under the assumptions of homogeneity and isotropy. When we couple
the fluid dynamical equations to Einstein's equation we find, in addition to
the geometry-driven expanding solution of the FRW model, a second,
matter-driven nonequilibrium solution to the equations. In only the second
solution, entropy is produced at a significant rate.Comment: 23 pages (CQG, in press
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