High order difference schemes using the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method

Mesh-free methods have significant potential for simulations in complex geometries, as the time consuming process of mesh-generation is avoided. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is the most widely used mesh-free method, but suffers from a lack of consistency. High order, consistent, and local (using compact computational stencils) mesh-free methods are particularly desirable. Here we present a novel framework for generating local high order difference operators for arbitrary node distributions, referred to as the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method (LABFM). Weights are constructed from linear sums of anisotropic basis functions (ABFs), chosen to ensure exact reproduction of polynomial fields up to a given order. The ABFs are based on a fundamental Radial Basis Function (RBF), and the choice of fundamental RBF has small effect on accuracy, but influences stability. LABFM is able to generate high order difference operators with compact computational stencils (4th order with 25 nodes, 8th order with 60 nodes in two dimensions). At domain boundaries (with incomplete support) LABFM automatically provides one-sided differences of the same order as the internal scheme, up to 4th order. We use the method to solve elliptic, parabolic and mixed hyperbolic-parabolic PDEs, showing up to 8th order convergence. The inclusion of hyperviscosity is straightforward, and can effectively provide stability when solving hyperbolic problems. LABFM is a promising new mesh-free method for the numerical solution of PDEs in complex geometries. The method is highly scalable, and for Eulerian schemes, the computational efficiency is competitive with RBF-FD for a given accuracy. A particularly attractive feature is that in the low order limit, LABFM collapses to SPH, and there is potential for Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian schemes with natural adaptivity of resolution and accuracy.Comment: Accepted manuscript: 28 pages, 23 figures. Accepted in J. Comput. Phys. 10th May 202

A mesh-free framework for high-order simulations of viscoelastic flows in complex geometries

The accurate and stable simulation of viscoelastic flows remains a significant computational challenge, exacerbated for flows in non-trivial and practical geometries. Here we present a new high-order meshless approach with variable resolution for the solution of viscoelastic flows across a range of Weissenberg numbers. Based on the Local Anisotropic Basis Function Method (LABFM) of King et al. (2020), highly accurate viscoelastic flow solutions are found using Oldroyd B and PPT models for a range of two dimensional problems — including Kolmogorov flow, planar Poiseulle flow, and flow in a representative porous media geometry. Convergence rates up to 9th order are shown. Three treatments for the conformation tensor evolution are investigated for use in this new high-order meshless context (direct integration, Cholesky decomposition, and log-conformation), with log-conformation providing consistently stable solutions across test cases, and direct integration yielding better accuracy for simpler unidirectional flows. The final test considers symmetry breaking in the porous media flow at moderate Weissenberg number, as a precursor to a future study of fully 3D high-fidelity simulations of elastic flow instabilities in complex geometries. The results herein demonstrate the potential of a viscoelastic flow solver that is both high-order (for accuracy) and meshless (for straightforward discretisation of non-trivial geometries including variable resolution). In the near-term, extension of this approach to three dimensional solutions promises to yield important insights into a range of viscoelastic flow problems, and especially the fundamental challenge of understanding elastic instabilities in practical settings

Quantum algorithm for smoothed particle hydrodynamics

We present a quantum computing algorithm for the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. We use a normalization procedure to encode the SPH operators and domain discretization in a quantum register. We then perform the SPH summation via an inner product of quantum registers. Using a one-dimensional function, we test the approach in a classical sense for the kernel sum and first and second derivatives of a one-dimensional function, using both the Gaussian and Wendland kernel functions, and compare various register sizes against analytical results. Error convergence is exponentially fast in the number of qubits. We extend the method to solve the one-dimensional advection and diffusion partial differential equations, which are commonly encountered in fluids simulations. This work provides a foundation for a more general SPH algorithm, eventually leading to highly efficient simulations of complex engineering problems on gate-based quantum computers

Quantum algorithm for smoothed particle hydrodynamics

We present a quantum computing algorithm for the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. We use a normalization procedure to encode the SPH operators and domain discretization in a quantum register. We then perform the SPH summation via an inner product of quantum registers. Using a one-dimensional function, we test the approach in a classical sense for the kernel sum and first and second derivatives of a one-dimensional function, using both the Gaussian and Wendland kernel functions, and compare various register sizes against analytical results. Error convergence is exponentially fast in the number of qubits. We extend the method to solve the one-dimensional advection and diffusion partial differential equations, which are commonly encountered in fluids simulations. This work provides a foundation for a more general SPH algorithm, eventually leading to highly efficient simulations of complex engineering problems on gate-based quantum computers

Large eddy simulations of bubbly flows and breaking waves with smoothed particle hydrodynamics

For turbulent bubbly flows, multi-phase simulations resolving both the liquid and bubbles are prohibitively expensive in the context of different natural phenomena. One example is breaking waves, where bubbles strongly influence wave impact loads, acoustic emissions and atmospheric-ocean transfer, but detailed simulations in all but the simplest settings are infeasible. An alternative approach is to resolve only large scales, and model small-scale bubbles adopting sub-resolution closures. Here, we introduce a large eddy simulation smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) scheme for simulations of bubbly flows. The continuous liquid phase is resolved with a semi-implicit isothermally compressible SPH framework. This is coupled with a discrete Lagrangian bubble model. Bubbles and liquid interact via exchanges of volume and momentum, through turbulent closures, bubble breakup and entrainment, and free-surface interaction models. By representing bubbles as individual particles, they can be tracked over their lifetimes, allowing closure models for sub-resolution fluctuations, bubble deformation, breakup and free-surface interaction in integral form, accounting for the finite time scales over which these events occur. We investigate two flows: bubble plumes and breaking waves, and find close quantitative agreement with published experimental and numerical data. In particular, for plunging breaking waves, our framework accurately predicts the Hinze scale, bubble size distribution, and growth rate of the entrained bubble population. This is the first coupling of an SPH framework with a discrete bubble model, with potential for cost-effective simulations of wave–structure interactions and more accurate predictions of wave impact loads

'Education, education, education' : legal, moral and clinical

This article brings together Professor Donald Nicolson's intellectual interest in professional legal ethics and his long-standing involvement with law clinics both as an advisor at the University of Cape Town and Director of the University of Bristol Law Clinic and the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic. In this article he looks at how legal education may help start this process of character development, arguing that the best means is through student involvement in voluntary law clinics. And here he builds upon his recent article which argues for voluntary, community service oriented law clinics over those which emphasise the education of students

The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

The physics emphases of the PHENIX collaboration and the design and current status of the PHENIX detector are discussed. The plan of the collaboration for making the most effective use of the available luminosity in the first years of RHIC operation is also presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Further details of the PHENIX physics program available at http://www.rhic.bnl.gov/phenix

Serum magnesium and calcium levels in relation to ischemic stroke : Mendelian randomization study

ObjectiveTo determine whether serum magnesium and calcium concentrations are causally associated with ischemic stroke or any of its subtypes using the mendelian randomization approach.MethodsAnalyses were conducted using summary statistics data for 13 single-nucleotide polymorphisms robustly associated with serum magnesium (n = 6) or serum calcium (n = 7) concentrations. The corresponding data for ischemic stroke were obtained from the MEGASTROKE consortium (34,217 cases and 404,630 noncases).ResultsIn standard mendelian randomization analysis, the odds ratios for each 0.1 mmol/L (about 1 SD) increase in genetically predicted serum magnesium concentrations were 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-0.89; p = 1.3 7 10-4) for all ischemic stroke, 0.63 (95% CI 0.50-0.80; p = 1.6 7 10-4) for cardioembolic stroke, and 0.60 (95% CI 0.44-0.82; p = 0.001) for large artery stroke; there was no association with small vessel stroke (odds ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.67-1.20; p = 0.46). Only the association with cardioembolic stroke was robust in sensitivity analyses. There was no association of genetically predicted serum calcium concentrations with all ischemic stroke (per 0.5 mg/dL [about 1 SD] increase in serum calcium: odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.88-1.21) or with any subtype.ConclusionsThis study found that genetically higher serum magnesium concentrations are associated with a reduced risk of cardioembolic stroke but found no significant association of genetically higher serum calcium concentrations with any ischemic stroke subtype

The Physics of Star Cluster Formation and Evolution

© 2020 Springer-Verlag. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00689-4.Star clusters form in dense, hierarchically collapsing gas clouds. Bulk kinetic energy is transformed to turbulence with stars forming from cores fed by filaments. In the most compact regions, stellar feedback is least effective in removing the gas and stars may form very efficiently. These are also the regions where, in high-mass clusters, ejecta from some kind of high-mass stars are effectively captured during the formation phase of some of the low mass stars and effectively channeled into the latter to form multiple populations. Star formation epochs in star clusters are generally set by gas flows that determine the abundance of gas in the cluster. We argue that there is likely only one star formation epoch after which clusters remain essentially clear of gas by cluster winds. Collisional dynamics is important in this phase leading to core collapse, expansion and eventual dispersion of every cluster. We review recent developments in the field with a focus on theoretical work.Peer reviewe