Correcting cold wire measurements in isotropic turbulence with a DNS database

We estimate the effect of the finite spatial resolution of a cold wire for scalar measurements, using a database from direct numerical simulations (DNS). These are for homogeneous isotropic turbulence at low Taylor-microscale Reynolds number (≃ 42) and Schmidt number unity. Correction factors for the scalar variance, scalar mean dissipation rate, and mixed velocity-scalar derivative skewness are evaluated, for a sensor length of up to 15 times the Batchelor length scale. The largest attenuation effect is found on the dissipation rate, followed by the scalar variance. The mixed skewness,which is affected the least, is overestimated

Physical activity to improve cognition in older adults: can physical activity programs enriched with cognitive challenges enhance the effects? A systematic review and meta-analysis

: EPHPP quality rating scores (DOCX 38 kb

Theory of the Lorentz force flowmeter

A Lorentz force flowmeter is a device for the contactless measurement of flow rates in electrically conducting fluids. It is based on the measurement of a force on a magnet system that acts upon the flow. We formulate the theory of the Lorentz force flowmeter which connects the measured force to the unknown flow rate. We first apply the theory to three specific cases, namely (i) pipe flow exposed to a longitudinal magnetic field, (ii) pipe flow under the influence of a transverse magnetic field and (iii) interaction of a localized distribution of magnetic material with a uniformly moving sheet of metal. These examples provide the key scaling laws of the method and illustrate how the force depends on the shape of the velocity profile and the presence of turbulent fluctuations in the flow. Moreover, we formulate the general kinematic theory which holds for arbitrary distributions of magnetic material or electric currents and for any velocity distribution and which provides a rational framework for the prediction of the sensitivity of Lorentz force flowmeters in laboratory experiments and in industrial practice.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/58171/2/njp7_8_299.pd

Europe's cross-border trade, human security and financial connections: A climate risk perspective

As the impacts of climate change begin to take hold, increased attention is being paid to the consequences that might occur remotely from the location of the initial climatic impact, where impacts and responses are transmitted across one or more borders. As an economy that is highly connected to other regions and countries of the world, the European Union (EU) is potentially exposed to such cross-border impacts. Here, we undertake a macro-scale, risk-focused literature and data review to explore the potential impact transmission pathways between the EU and other world regions and countries. We do so across three distinct domains of interest - trade, human security and finance - which are part of complex socio-economic, political and cultural systems and may contribute to mediate or exacerbate risk exposure. Across these domains, we seek to understand the extent to which there has been prior consideration of aspects of climate-related risk exposure relevant to developing an understanding of cross-border impacts. We also provide quantitative evidence of the extent and strength of connectivity between the EU and other world regions. Our analysis reveals that - within this nascent area of research - there is uncertainty about the dynamics of cross-border impact that will affect whether the EU is in a relatively secure or vulnerable position in comparison with other regions. However, we reveal that risk is likely to be focused in particular ‘hotspots’; defined geographies, for example, that produce materials for EU consumption (e.g. Latin American soybean), hold financial investments (e.g. North America), or are the foci for EU external action (e.g. the Middle East and North Africa region). Importantly, these domains will also interact, and - via the application of a conceptual example of soybean production in Argentina based on a historical drought event - we illustrate that impact and response pathways linked to EU risk exposure may be complex, further heightening the challenge of developing effective policy responses within an uncertain climatic and socioeconomic future

Europe's cross-border trade, human security and financial connections: A climate risk perspective

As the impacts of climate change begin to take hold, increased attention is being paid to the consequences that might occur remotely from the location of the initial climatic impact, where impacts and responses are transmitted across one or more borders. As an economy that is highly connected to other regions and countries of the world, the European Union (EU) is potentially exposed to such cross-border impacts. Here, we undertake a macro-scale, risk-focused literature and data review to explore the potential impact transmission pathways between the EU and other world regions and countries. We do so across three distinct domains of interest - trade, human security and finance - which are part of complex socio-economic, political and cultural systems and may contribute to mediate or exacerbate risk exposure. Across these domains, we seek to understand the extent to which there has been prior consideration of aspects of climate-related risk exposure relevant to developing an understanding of cross-border impacts. We also pro-vide quantitative evidence of the extent and strength of connectivity between the EU and other world regions. Our analysis reveals that - within this nascent area of research - there is uncer-tainty about the dynamics of cross-border impact that will affect whether the EU is in a relatively secure or vulnerable position in comparison with other regions. However, we reveal that risk is likely to be focused in particular ‘hotspots’; defined geographies, for example, that produce materials for EU consumption (e.g. Latin American soybean), hold financial investments (e.g. North America), or are the foci for EU external action (e.g. the Middle East and North Africa region). Importantly, these domains will also interact, and - via the application of a conceptual example of soybean production in Argentina based on a historical drought event - we illustrate that impact and response pathways linked to EU risk exposure may be complex, further heightening the challenge of developing effective policy responses within an uncertain climatic and socioeconomic future

Unilateral Exoskeleton Imposes Significantly Different Hemispherical Effect in Parietooccipital Region, but Not in Other Regions

In modern society, increasing people suffering from locomotor disabilities need an assistive exoskeleton to help them improve or restore ambulation. When walking is assisted by an exoskeleton, brain activities are altered as the closed-loop between brain and lower limbs is affected by the exoskeleton. Intuitively, a unilateral exoskeleton imposes differential effect on brain hemispheres (i.e., hemispherical effect) according to contralateral control mechanism. However, it is unclear whether hemispherical effect appears in whole hemisphere or particular region. To this end, we explored hemispherical effect on different brain regions using EEG data collected from 30 healthy participants during overground walking. The results showed that hemispherical effect was significantly different between regions when a unilateral exoskeleton was employed for walking assistance and no significance was observed for walking without the exoskeleton. Post-hoc t-test analysis revealed that hemispherical effect in the parietooccipital region significantly differed from other regions. In the parietooccipital region, a greater hemispherical effect was observed in beta band for exoskeleton-assisted walking compared to walking without exoskeleton, which was also found in the source analysis. These findings deepen the understanding of hemispherical effect of unilateral exoskeleton on brain and could aid the development of more efficient and suitable exoskeleton for walking assistance

Large-eddy simulation of conductive flows at low magnetic Reynolds number

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Maternal-behavior in the Wistar Rat Under Atypical Zeitgeber

In previous experiments, neonatal rats subjected to atypical Zeitgeber (light and temperature) produce adult animals that present a different reactivity in some test situations. On the other hand, a great body of evidence indicates that physiological and psychological processes, including the maturation of the circadian system, are regulated by maternal behaviour. In order to investigate in which manner the atypical Zeitgeber, mentioned above, influences maternal behaviour, mothers with their young were observed systematically. More precisely, the question was: is the changed reactivity due to the fact that the young experience a situation of classical early privation (e.g., a decrease in social or other sensory stimulation or in nutrition) or is it due to a situation in which only the temporal pattern of the maternal behaviour is modified and thus disturbs the proper development of the circadian system of the young. Results tend to show that the only difference between the experimental and the control group is a modification in the circadian rhythm of several behavioural items. Only one activity (licking of the young) shows a significant difference in the overall mean value but in favour of the experimental group. We would suggest that the modified temporal pattern of the maternal care could be a poor timegiver for the young, in such a way that the development of their circadian rhythms is disturbed. The unusual reactivity in adulthood could depend on this abnormal development of the circadian system and not on a care privation

Maternal behaviour in the Wistar rat under atypical Zeitgeber.

In previous experiments, neonatal rats subjected to atypical Zeitgeber (light and temperature) produce adult animals that present a different reactivity in some test situations. On the other hand, a great body of evidence indicates that physiological and psychological processes, including the maturation of the circadian system, are regulated by maternal behaviour. In order to investigate in which manner the atypical Zeitgeber, mentioned above, influences maternal behaviour, mothers with their young were observed systematically. More precisely, the question was: is the changed reactivity due to the fact that the young experience a situation of classical early privation (e.g., a decrease in social or other sensory stimulation or in nutrition) or is it due to a situation in which only the temporal pattern of the maternal behaviour is modified and thus disturbs the proper development of the circadian system of the young. Results tend to show that the only difference between the experimental and the control group is a modification in the circadian rhythm of several behavioural items. Only one activity (licking of the young) shows a significant difference in the overall mean value but in favour of the experimental group. We would suggest that the modified temporal pattern of the maternal care could be a poor timegiver for the young, in such a way that the development of their circadian rhythms is disturbed. The unusual reactivity in adulthood could depend on this abnormal development of the circadian system and not on a care privation