A phenomenological model for predicting the early development of the flame kernel in spark-ignition engines

This work presents a simple and effective phenomenological model for the prediction of the early growth of the flame kernel in SI engines, including its initiation as a result of the electrical breakdown of the fuel/air mixture between the spark plug electrodes. The present model aims to provide an improved description of the ignition-affected early phases of flame kernel development compared to the majority of models currently available in literature. In particular, these models focus on electrical energy supply and turbulence, whereas the stretch-induced kernel growth slowdown is quantified with linear models that are inconsistent with the small kernel radius. For the flame kernel initiation, this model replaces the current methods that rely on 1D heat diffusion within a plasma column with a more consistent analysis of post-breakdown conditions. Concerning the kernel growth, the present model couples the mass and energy conservation equations of a spherical kernel with the species and temperature profiles outside of it. This combination leads to a non-linear description of the flame stretch, according to which the kernel development is controlled by the Lewis-number-dependent balance between the heat gained via combustion and the heat lost via thermal diffusion. As a result, the kernel temperature differs from the adiabatic flame temperature, causing the laminar flame speed to change from its adiabatic value and ultimately affecting the overall kernel development. Kernel growth predictions are conducted for laminar flames and compared to literature data, showing a satisfactory agreement and highlighting the ability to describe the stretch-induced kernel slowdown, up to its possible extinction. A good agreement with literature data is also obtained for kernel expansions under moderately turbulent conditions, typical of internal combustion engines. The simple formulation of the present model enables swift integration into phenomenological combustion models for spark-ignition engines, while simultaneously offering useful insight into the early kernel development even for CFD-based approaches

Efeito da Brachiaria ruziziensis sobre a ciclagem do P, K e produtividade da soja.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ciclagem do potássio e fósforo pela cultura da brachiária, e sua disponibilização para a cultura da soja

Efeito da Brachiaria ruziziensis sobre a ciclagem do P, K e produtividade da soja.

O uso de Brachiaria ruzizienses para a formação de palhada em sistema de plantio direto tem se expandido no Cerrado. Essa cobertura além de proteger o solo contra a erosão, representa uma importante fonte de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da Brachiaria ruzizienses como cicladora de fósforo e potássio e seu efeito sobre a produtividade de soja (Glycine Max). O experimento foi inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos: Solo sem palhada e sem adubação; com palhada de braquiária e sem adubação mineral; e com palhada de braquiária e adubação mineral (500kg 02-23-10). A brachiária foi semeada em dezembro/2006 e dessecada no inicio de outubro/2007, quando foi plantada a soja. A palhada foi pesada e retirada amostra para análise de fósforo e potássio. A braquiária produziu em média 12,3 t ha-1 de matéria seca, atingindo 19,8 t ha-1. Na palhada foram encontrados em média 25,1 e 33,1 Kg ha-1, de P2O5 e K2O, respectivamente, sendo que em alguns casos, foram encontradas quantidades superiores à extraída pela soja. Mesmo com os altos teores de nutrientes contidos na palhada, observou-se resposta positiva da soja ao uso de fertilizante. Contudo o acréscimo de produtividade é superior ao custo do tratamento

An isoperimetric inequality in the plane with a log-convex density

Given a positive lower semi-continuous density $f$ on $\mathbb{R}^2$ the weighted volume $V_f:=f\mathscr{L}^2$ is defined on the $\mathscr{L}^2$-measurable sets in $\mathbb{R}^2$. The $f$-weighted perimeter of a set of finite perimeter $E$ in $\mathbb{R}^2$ is written $P_f(E)$. We study minimisers for the weighted isoperimetric problem $$I_f(v):=\inf\Big\{ P_f(E):E\text{ is a set of finite perimeter in }\mathbb{R}^2\text{ and }V_f(E)=v\Big\}$$ for $v>0$. Suppose $f$ takes the form $f:\mathbb{R}^2\rightarrow(0,+\infty);x\mapsto e^{h(|x|)}$ where $h:[0,+\infty)\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ is a non-decreasing convex function. Let $v>0$ and $B$ a centred ball in $\mathbb{R}^2$ with $V_f(B)=v$. We show that $B$ is a minimiser for the above variational problem and obtain a uniqueness result

A global point prevalence survey of antimicrobial use in neonatal intensive care units: The no-more-antibiotics and resistance (NO-MAS-R) study

Background: Global assessment of antimicrobial agents prescribed to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may inform antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Methods: We conducted a one-day global point prevalence study of all antimicrobials provided to NICU infants. Demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data were obtained including NICU level, census, birth weight, gestational/chronologic age, diagnoses, antimicrobial therapy (reason for use; length of therapy), antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP), and 30-day in-hospital mortality. Findings: On July 1, 2019, 26 of infants (580/2,265; range, 0�100; median gestational age, 33 weeks; median birth weight, 1800 g) in 84 NICUs (51, high-income; 33, low-to-middle income) from 29 countries (14, high-income; 15, low-to-middle income) in five continents received �1 antimicrobial agent (92, antibacterial; 19, antifungal; 4, antiviral). The most common reasons for antibiotic therapy were �rule-out� sepsis (32) and �culture-negative� sepsis (16) with ampicillin (40), gentamicin (35), amikacin (19), vancomycin (15), and meropenem (9) used most frequently. For definitive treatment of presumed/confirmed infection, vancomycin (26), amikacin (20), and meropenem (16) were the most prescribed agents. Length of therapy for culture-positive and �culture-negative� infections was 12 days (median; IQR, 8�14) and 7 days (median; IQR, 5�10), respectively. Mortality was 6 (42, infection-related). An NICU ASP was associated with lower rate of antibiotic utilization (p = 0·02). Interpretation: Global NICU antibiotic use was frequent and prolonged regardless of culture results. NICU-specific ASPs were associated with lower antibiotic utilization rates, suggesting the need for their implementation worldwide. Funding: Merck & Co.; The Ohio State University College of Medicine Barnes Medical Student Research Scholarship © 2021 The Author

Lettera da De Betta a Visiani (15 febbraio 1854)

Fa parte della corrispondenza ricevuta da Roberto de Visiani e conservata presso la Biblioteca dell'Orto Botanico dell'Università di Padova

A novel implementation of wind energy in buildings based on synthetic jet concept

The flow around the baseline building is compared to the flow pattern obtained by introducing an air duct on the top of it, which is blowing a fixed air mass flow rate (the jet). The energy required to produce this jet is not considered since it is presumed to be already available from other sources (e.g. ventilation system). Different jet mass outflows are varied in order to find the optimal set to obtain a flow reattachment after the separation at the building edge. The simulation is conducted by means of validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solvers based on Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. Two- and three-dimensional domains are considered and validated against experimental results. The duct is modelled in the three-dimensional CFD simulation and considered as a velocity inlet. The analysis provided the velocity profiles on different positions on the roof: a reduction in the flow separation would enable an installation of a wind turbine with a lower support and the interception of a uniform accelerated wind speed provided by the hill effect

Aerodynamic optimization of a vertical axis wind turbine equipped with a two-element airfoil

The results for the optimization of the Darrieus rotor equipped with a slat airfoil are presented. The problem appears to be well defined with respect to the adopted optimization routine and decision variables. These independently provide the maximum performance for a given value, which was correctly included in its range of variation. The physical reasons behind the optimal slat airfoil position are linked to the rotor aerodynamics, given the increase in the main airfoil operative range which is obtained by introducing the secondary airfoil. Moreover, the analysis of the parameters such as the slat airfoil pitch angle and chord length highlighted a variation in the optimal operating conditions in the considered range. Depending on the slat characteristics, in fact, the aerodynamic effect is enhanced for different angles of attack and, therefore, different tip speed ratios. The maximum performance is however achieved for a particular operating condition which is maintained along the optimization process