Transported PDF modelling and analysis of partially premixed flames

A hybrid finite volume – transported joint probability density function (FV/JPDF) method is used to model piloted flames with inhomogeneous inlets. The flames were experimentally investigated using a retractable central tube within the main burner to control the degree of mixing at the exit. A five-gas (C2H2, H2, CO2, N2, air) co–flow pilot located outside the burner was used to match the composition and adiabatic temperature of a stoichiometric methane/air flame. The applied hybrid method features a flow field calculation using a time-dependent finite-volume based method closed at the second-moment level with the scalar field obtained at the joint-scalar (JPDF) level. The current methodology is applicable to both premixed combustion and diffusion-dominated regions without assumption regarding the inclusion of the chemistry. Results show that the current method can accurately capture the stratified premixed flame mode near the burner exit as well as the diffusion-dominated flame far downstream. The transition between the combustion modes occurs around ten tube diameters downstream of the burner exit and it is observed that the flame structure is very sensitive to the prediction of the flow field in this region

Chronic Cold Exposure Increases Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Structure and Function in Monodelphis domestica, a Marsupial Lacking Brown Adipose Tissue

Monodelphis domestica (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) was used as a model animal to investigate and compare muscle adaptation to exercise training and cold exposure. The experimental treatment consisted of four groups of animals: either warm or cold acclimation temperature and with or without endurance exercisetraining. Maximal aerobic capacity during a running Vo2max test in the warm-exercised or cold-exposed (with or without without exercise) groups was about 130 mL O2/kg/min, significantlyhigher than the warm-acclimated controls at 113.5mL O2/kg/min. Similarly, during an acute cold challenge (Vo2summit ), maximal aerobic capacity was higher in these three experimental groups at ∼95 mL O2/kg/min compared with 80.4mL O2/kg/min in warm-acclimated controls. Respiratory exchange ratio was significantly lower (0.89-0.68), whereas relative heart mass 0.52%-0.73%) and whole-body muscle mitochondrialvolume density (2.59 to 3.04 cm[sup3]) were significantly higher following cold exposure. Chronic cold exposure was a stronger stimulus than endurance exercise training for tissue specific adaptations. Although chronic cold exposure and enduranceexercise are distinct challenges, physiological adaptations to each overlap such that the capacities for aerobic performance in response to both cold exposure and running are increased by either or both treatments

Key principle of the efficient running, swimming, and flying

Empirical observations indicate striking similarities among locomotion in terrestrial animals, birds, and fish, but unifying physical grounds are lacking. When applied to efficient locomotion, the analytical mechanics principle of minimum action yields two patterns of mechanical similarity via two explicit spatiotemporal coherent states. In steady locomotory modes, the slow muscles determining maximal optimum speeds maintain universal intrinsic muscular pressure. Otherwise, maximal speeds are due to constant mass-dependent stiffness of fast muscles generating a uniform force field, exceeding gravitation. Being coherent in displacements, velocities and forces, the body appendages of animals are tuned to natural propagation frequency through the state-dependent elastic muscle moduli. Key words: variational principle of minimum action (04.20.Fy), locomotion (87.19.ru), biomechanics (87.85.G-).Comment: Submitted to the Europhysical Letter

Kinetic simulations of magnetic reconnection in presence of a background O+ population

Particle-in-Cell simulations of magnetic reconnection with an H+ current sheet and a mixed background plasma of H+ and O+ ions are completed using physical mass ratios. Four main results are shown. First, the O+ presence slightly decreases the reconnection rate and the magnetic reconnection evolution depends mainly on the lighter H+ ion species in the presented simulations. Second, the Hall magnetic field is characterized by a two-scale structure in presence of O+ ions: it reaches sharp peak values in a small area in proximity of the neutral line, and then decreases slowly over a large region. Third, the two background species initially separate in the outflow region because H+ and O+ ions are accelerated by different mechanisms occurring on different time scales and with different strengths. Fourth, the effect of a guide field on the O+ dynamics is studied: the O+ presence does not change the reconnected flux and all the characteristic features of guide field magnetic reconnection are still present. Moreover, the guide field introduces an O+ circulation pattern between separatrices that enhances high O+ density areas and depletes low O+ density regions in proximity of the reconnection fronts. The importance and the validity of these results are finally discussed

A preliminary study of the effect of closed incision management with negative pressure wound therapy over high-risk incisions

Background Certain postoperative wounds are recognised to be associated with more complications than others and may be termed high-risk. Wound healing can be particularly challenging following high-energy trauma where wound necrosis and infection rates are high. Surgical incision for joint arthrodesis can also be considered high-risk as it requires extensive and invasive surgery and postoperative distal limb swelling and wound dehiscence are common. Recent human literature has investigated the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) over high-risk closed surgical incisions and beneficial effects have been noted including decreased drainage, decreased dehiscence and decreased infection rates. In a randomised, controlled study twenty cases undergoing distal limb high-energy fracture stabilisation or arthrodesis were randomised to NPWT or control groups. All cases had a modified Robert-Jones dressing applied for 72 h postoperatively and NPWT was applied for 24 h in the NPWT group. Morphometric assessment of limb circumference was performed at six sites preoperatively, 24 and 72 h postoperatively. Wound discharge was assessed at 24 and 72 h. Postoperative analgesia protocol was standardised and a Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Score (GCPS) carried out at 24, 48 and 72 h. Complications were noted and differences between groups were assessed. Results Percentage change in limb circumference between preoperative and 24 and 72 h postoperative measurements was significantly less at all sites for the NPWT group with exception of the joint proximal to the surgical site and the centre of the operated bone at 72 h. Median discharge score was lower in the NPWT group than the control group at 24 h. No significant differences in GCPS or complication rates were noted. Conclusions Digital swelling and wound discharge were reduced when NPWT was employed for closed incision management. Larger studies are required to evaluate whether this will result in reduced discomfort and complication rates postoperatively