1,325 research outputs found
An error estimate of Gaussian Recursive Filter in 3Dvar problem
Computational kernel of the three-dimensional variational data assimilation
(3D-Var) problem is a linear system, generally solved by means of an iterative
method. The most costly part of each iterative step is a matrix-vector product
with a very large covariance matrix having Gaussian correlation structure. This
operation may be interpreted as a Gaussian convolution, that is a very
expensive numerical kernel. Recursive Filters (RFs) are a well known way to
approximate the Gaussian convolution and are intensively applied in the
meteorology, in the oceanography and in forecast models. In this paper, we deal
with an oceanographic 3D-Var data assimilation scheme, named OceanVar, where
the linear system is solved by using the Conjugate Gradient (GC) method by
replacing, at each step, the Gaussian convolution with RFs. Here we give
theoretical issues on the discrete convolution approximation with a first order
(1st-RF) and a third order (3rd-RF) recursive filters. Numerical experiments
confirm given error bounds and show the benefits, in terms of accuracy and
performance, of the 3-rd RF.Comment: 9 page
Instability of a stalled accretion shock: evidence for the advective-acoustic cycle
We analyze the linear stability of a stalled accretion shock in a perfect gas
with a parametrized cooling function L ~ rho^{beta-alpha} P^alpha. The
instability is dominated by the l=1 mode if the shock radius exceeds 2-3 times
the accretor radius, depending on the parameters of the cooling function. The
growth rate and oscillation period are comparable to those observed in the
numerical simulations of Blondin & Mezzacappa (2006). The instability mechanism
is analyzed by separately measuring the efficiencies of the purely acoustic
cycle and the advective-acoustic cycle. These efficiencies are estimated
directly from the eigenspectrum, and also through a WKB analysis in the high
frequency limit. Both methods prove that the advective-acoustic cycle is
unstable, and that the purely acoustic cycle is stable. Extrapolating these
results to low frequency leads us to interpret the dominant mode as an
advective-acoustic instability, different from the purely acoustic
interpretation of Blondin & Mezzacappa (2006). A simplified characterization of
the instability is proposed, based on an advective-acoustic cycle between the
shock and the radius r_nabla where the velocity gradients of the stationary
flow are strongest. The importance of the coupling region in this mechanism
calls for a better understanding of the conditions for an efficient
advective-acoustic coupling in a decelerated, nonadiabatic flow, in order to
extend these results to core-collapse supernovae.Comment: 29 pages, 18 figures, to appear in ApJ (1 new Section, 2 new Figures
Analysis of oxy-coal combustion through measurements in a pilot-scale entrained flow reactor
Coal combustion is investigated in both air and oxy-fuel conditions in a pilot-scale entrained flow reactor able to provide high temperatures, heating rates and residence times. Measurements are carried out with
different levels of complexity and are aimed at: assessing the thermal field inside the reactor; evaluating conversions of devolatilization or char combustion tests; identifying phenomena such as volatiles ignition
and measuring the ignition delay time. Computational Fluid Dynamics was also used in order to provide a better understanding of the experimental evidences. Among the results, the ignition delay time was found
to be larger in oxy-fuel conditions than in air, mainly because of the larger specific heat of the oxy-fuel environment. The proposed investigation may help the qualification of advanced experimental apparatus
as entrained flow reactors, with the purpose to make them suitable for heterogeneous kinetics studies in oxy-fuel conditions
Structural connectivity and functional properties of the macaque superior parietal lobule
Despite the consolidated belief that the macaque superior parietal lobule (SPL) is entirely occupied by Brodmannâs area 5, recent data show that macaque SPL also hosts a large cortical region with structural and functional features similar to that of Brodmannâs area 7. According to these data, the anterior part of SPL is occupied by a somatosensory-dominated cortical region that hosts three architectural and functional distinct regions (PE, PEci, PEip) and the caudal half of SPL by a bimodal somato-visual region that hosts four areas: PEc, MIP, PGm, V6A. To date, the most studied areas of SPL are PE, PEc, and V6A. PE is essentially a high-order somatomotor area, while PEc and V6A are bimodal somatomotorâvisuomotor areas, the former with predominant somatosensory input and the latter with predominant visual input. The functional properties of these areas and their anatomical connectivity strongly suggest their involvement in the control of limb movements. PE is suggested to be involved in the preparation/execution of limb movements, in particular, the movements of the upper limb; PEc in the control of movements of both upper and lower limbs, as well as in their interaction with the visual environment; V6A in the control of reach-to-grasp movements performed with the upper limb. In humans, SPL is traditionally considered to have a different organization with respect to macaques. Here, we review several lines of evidence suggesting that this is not the case, showing a similar structure for human and non-human primate SPLs
Novel Strategies for Recycling Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-Starch-Based Plastics: Selective Solubilization and Depolymerization-Repolymerization Processes
Starch-based plastics (SBPs) containing poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are among the most produced bioplastics on the market and are currently managed at their end of life (EoL) through composting. In view of developing novel EoL approaches, SBPs were characterized here in terms of their main components (PBAT, starch, and plasticizer), and three strategies for their recycling were investigated: (I) the selective solubilization of PBAT with ethyl acetate; (II) a two-step depolymerization-repolymerization process that consists of the catalytic selective alcoholysis of PBAT into its oligomers, followed by their repolymerization to PBAT with no need of adding a new catalyst; and (III) the complete selective depolymerization of PBAT, followed by the recovery and purification of butanediol (1,4-BD), dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), and dimethyl adipate (DMA). Up to 99, 95, and 93% recovery of the SBP components was obtained, respectively, following these three methods. Extensive characterization of the recovered PBAT was performed through molecular weight and thermal and thermomechanical analyses, demonstrating the efficiency of the processes. The environmental sustainability of the proposed approaches was also preliminarily evaluated through the calculation of their environmental factor (E-factor)
Influence of Topological Edge States on the Properties of Al/Bi2Se3/Al Hybrid Josephson Devices
In superconductor-topological insulator-superconductor hybrid junctions, the
barrier edge states are expected to be protected against backscattering, to
generate unconventional proximity effects, and, possibly, to signal the
presence of Majorana fermions. The standards of proximity modes for these types
of structures have to be settled for a neat identification of possible new
entities. Through a systematic and complete set of measurements of the
Josephson properties we find evidence of ballistic transport in coplanar
Al-Bi2Se3-Al junctions that we attribute to a coherent transport through the
topological edge state. The shunting effect of the bulk only influences the
normal transport. This behavior, which can be considered to some extent
universal, is fairly independent of the specific features of superconducting
electrodes. A comparative study of Shubnikov - de Haas oscillations and
Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy gave an experimental signature compatible with
a two dimensional electron transport channel with a Dirac dispersion relation.
A reduction of the size of the Bi2Se3 flakes to the nanoscale is an unavoidable
step to drive Josephson junctions in the proper regime to detect possible
distinctive features of Majorana fermions.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figure
Cerebrospinal fluid leak during stapes surgery: Gushing leaks and oozing leaks, two different phenomena.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an uncommon event that can occur during stapes surgery. Such leaks can be classified as gushing leaks (stapes gushers) and oozing leaks. A stapes gusher is a massive flow of CSF through the perforated footplate that fills the middle ear suddenly, while an oozing leak is a slower and less profuse flow. We conducted a retrospective, observational, multicenter study of 38 patientsâ23 men and 15 women, aged 23 to 71 years (mean: 47)âwho had experienced a CSF leak during stapes surgery. Patients were divided into various groups according to the type of surgical procedure performed and the type of postoperative complications they experienced. Audiometric and clinical evaluations were carried out pre- and postoperatively. Correlations among surgical variations (total or partial stapedectomy, placement of a prosthesis), hearing outcomes, and the incidence of postoperative complications (postoperative CSF leak and vertigo) were studied. Our statistical analysis revealed that gushing leaks and oozing leaks result in different degrees of hearing impairment and different rates of complications. We recommend that an individual approach be used to manage these complications
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