A Snapshot Algorithm for Linear Feedback Flow Control Design

The control of fluid flows has many applications. For micro air vehicles, integrated flow control designs could enhance flight stability by mitigating the effect of destabilizing air flows in their low Reynolds number regimes. However, computing model based feedback control designs can be challenging due to high dimensional discretized flow models. In this work, we investigate the use of a snapshot algorithm proposed in Ref. 1 to approximate the feedback gain operator for a linear incompressible unsteady flow problem on a bounded domain. The main component of the algorithm is obtaining solution snapshots of certain linear flow problems. Numerical results for the example flow problem show convergence of the feedback gains

The effects of passing speed distribution on rail corrugation growth rate

The transportation phenomenon known as wear-type rail corrugation is a significant problem in railway engineering, which manifests as a periodic wear pattern developing on the surface of the wheel and rail with use. Some field studies and recent theoretical results by the current authors have suggested that uniformity in pass speed causes an increase in corrugation growth rate. This paper presents the predicted change in corrugation growth rate and dominant wavelengths with change in passing speed distribution, based on state of the art cornering growth modelling techniques

Decoupling of epitaxial graphene via gold intercalation probed by dispersive Raman spectroscopy

Signatures of a superlattice structure composed of a quasi periodic arrangement of atomic gold clusters below an epitaxied graphene (EG) layer are examined using dispersive Raman spectroscopy. The gold-graphene system exhibits a laser excitation energy dependant red shift of the 2D mode as compared to pristine epitaxial graphene. The phonon dispersions in both the systems are mapped using the experimentally observed Raman signatures and a third-nearest neighbour tight binding electronic band structure model. Our results reveal that the observed excitation dependent Raman red shift in gold EG primarily arise from the modifications of the phonon dispersion in gold-graphene and shows that the extent of decoupling of graphene from the underlying SiC substrate can be monitored from the dispersive nature of the Raman 2D modes. The intercalated gold atoms restore the phonon band structure of epitaxial graphene towards free standing graphene

Unusual magnetic-field dependence of partially frustrated triangular ordering in manganese tricyanomethanide

Manganese tricyanomethanide, Mn[C(CN)3]2, consists of two interpenetrating three-dimensional rutile-like networks. In each network, the tridentate C(CN)3- anion gives rise to superexchange interactions between the Mn2+ ions (S=5/2) that can be mapped onto the "row model" for partially frustrated triangular magnets. We present heat capacity measurements that reveal a phase transition at T_N = 1.18K, indicative of magnetic ordering. The zero-field magnetically ordered structure was solved from neutron powder diffraction data taken between 0.04 and 1.2 K. It consists of an incommensurate spiral with a temperature independent propagation vector Q=(2Q 0 0)=(+/-0.622 0 0), where different signs relate to the two different networks. This corresponds to (+/-0.311 +/-0.311 0) in a quasi-hexagonal representation. The ordered moment mu=3.3mu_B is about 2/3 of the full Mn2+ moment. From the values of T_N and Q, the exchange parameters J/k = 0.15 K and J'/J = 0.749 are estimated. The magnetic-field dependence of the intensity of the Bragg reflection, measured for external fields H||Q, indicates the presence of three different magnetic phases. We associate them with the incommensurate spiral (H < 13.5 kOe), an intermediate phase (13.5 kOe 16 kOe) proposed for related compounds. For increasing fields, Q continuously approaches the value 1/3, corresponding to the commensurate magnetic structure of the fully frustrated triangular lattice. This value is reached at H_c = 19 kOe. At this point, the field-dependence reverses and Q adopts a value of 0.327 at 26 kOe, the highest field applied in the experiment. Except for H_c, the magnetic ordering is incommensurate in all three magnetic phases of Mn[C(CN)3]2.Comment: accepted for publication in J. Phys.: Condens. Matte

An Optical Study of BG Geminorum: An Ellipsoidal Binary with an Unseen Primar Star

We describe optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the bright variable BG Geminorum. Optical photometry shows a pronounced ellipsoidal variation of the K0 I secondary, with amplitudes of ~0.5 mag at VRI and a period of 91.645 days. A deep primary eclipse is visible for wavelengths < 4400A; a shallower secondary eclipse is present at longer wavelengths. Eclipse timings and the radial velocity curve of the K0 secondary star indicate an interacting binary where a lobe-filling secondary, M_2 ~ 0.5 Msun, transfers material into a extended disk around a massive primary, M_1 ~ 4.5 Msun. The primary star is either an early B-type star or a black hole. If it did contain a black hole, BG Gem would be the longest period black hole binary known by a factor of 10, as well as the only eclipsing black hole binary system.Comment: 27 pages, includes 8 figures and 5 tables, accepted to A

Poly[[μ-1,4-bis­(imidazol-1-ylmeth­yl)benzene]bis­(μ4-cyclo­hexane-1,4-dicarboxyl­ato)dinickel(II)]

The structure of the polymeric title compound, [Ni2(C8H10O4)2(C14H14N4)]n, features a five-coordinate NiII centre defined by four carboxyl­ate O atoms from two different cyclo­hexane-1,4-dicarboxyl­ate (chdc) ligands and an N atom from one end of a 1,4-bis­(imidazol-1-ylmeth­yl)benzene (1,4-bix) mol­ecule. The NO4 coordination geometry is distorted square-pyramidal with the N atom in the apical position. Each end of the chdc ligand links pairs of NiII atoms into a paddle-wheel assembly, i.e. Ni2(O2CR′)4. These are connected into rows owing to the bridging nature of the chdc ligands, and the rows are connected into a two-dimensional grid via the 1,4-bix ligands. The 1,4-bix ligand, which is disposed about a centre of inversion, is disorderd. Two positions of equal occupancy were discerned for the –H2C(C6H4)CH2– residue

Linking Kindling to Increased Glutamate Release in the Dentate Gyrus of the Hippocampus Through the STXBP5/tomosyn-1 Gene

Introduction: In kindling, repeated electrical stimulation of certain brain areas causes progressive and permanent intensification of epileptiform activity resulting in generalized seizures. We focused on the role(s) of glutamate and a negative regulator of glutamate release, STXBP5/tomosyn-1, in kindling. Methods: Stimulating electrodes were implanted in the amygdala and progression to two successive Racine stage 5 seizures was measured in wild-type and STXBP5/tomosyn-1−/− (Tom−/−) animals. Glutamate release measurements were performed in distinct brain regions using a glutamate-selective microelectrode array (MEA). Results: Naïve Tom−/− mice had significant increases in KCl-evoked glutamate release compared to naïve wild type as measured by MEA of presynaptic release in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Kindling progression was considerably accelerated in Tom−/− mice, requiring fewer stimuli to reach a fully kindled state. Following full kindling, MEA measurements of both kindled Tom+/+ and Tom−/− mice showed significant increases in KCl-evoked and spontaneous glutamate release in the DG, indicating a correlation with the fully kindled state independent of genotype. Resting glutamate levels in all hippocampal subregions were significantly lower in the kindled Tom−/−mice, suggesting possible changes in basal control of glutamate circuitry in the kindled Tom−/−mice. Conclusions: Our studies demonstrate that increased glutamate release in the hippocampal DG correlates with acceleration of the kindling process. Although STXBP5/tomosyn-1 loss increased evoked glutamate release in naïve animals contributing to their prokindling phenotype, the kindling process can override any attenuating effect of STXBP5/tomosyn-1. Loss of this “braking” effect of STXBP5/tomosyn-1 on kindling progression may set in motion an alternative but ultimately equally ineffective compensatory response, detected here as reduced basal glutamate release

Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of Biologically Inspired Hair Receptor Arrays in Laminar Unsteady Flow Separation

Bats possess arrays of distributed ow-sensitive hair-like mechanoreceptors on their dorsal and ventral wing surfaces. It is generally hypothesized that the hair sensor array provides air ow feedback during ight. Speci cally, the sensing of leading and trailing edge vortices that are shed during apping ight has been proposed. In this work, we consider the mechanics of exible hair-like structures for the time accurate measurement and visualization of hydrodynamic images associated with unsteady near surface ow phenomena. A nonlinear viscoelastic model of a hair-like structure coupled to an unsteady nonuniform ow environment is proposed. Writing the hair model in nondimensional form, we perform an order of magnitude analysis of the physical forces involved in the uid-structure hair response. Through the proper choice of hair material, we show how the time accurate measurement of near surface ow velocity may be obtained from hair tip displacement and resultant moment. Furthermore, we show how a surface mounted hair array may provide a time accurate hydrodynamic image of a laminar unsteady ow separation over a cylinder.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.elsevier.com/Keywords: low Reynolds number, bats, micro air vehicles, nite element