Structure And Dynamics Of Modulated Traveling Waves In Cellular Flames

We describe spatial and temporal patterns in cylindrical premixed flames in the cellular regime, $Le < 1$, where the Lewis number $Le$ is the ratio of thermal to mass diffusivity of a deficient component of the combustible mixture. A transition from stationary, axisymmetric flames to stationary cellular flames is predicted analytically if $Le$ is decreased below a critical value. We present the results of numerical computations to show that as $Le$ is further decreased traveling waves (TWs) along the flame front arise via an infinite-period bifurcation which breaks the reflection symmetry of the cellular array. Upon further decreasing $Le$ different kinds of periodically modulated traveling waves (MTWs) as well as a branch of quasiperiodically modulated traveling waves (QPMTWs) arise. These transitions are accompanied by the development of different spatial and temporal symmetries including period doublings and period halvings. We also observe the apparently chaotic temporal behavior of a disordered cellular pattern involving creation and annihilation of cells. We analytically describe the stability of the TW solution near its onset+ using suitable phase-amplitude equations. Within this framework one of the MTW's can be identified as a localized wave traveling through an underlying stationary, spatially periodic structure. We study the Eckhaus instability of the TW and find that in general they are unstable at onset in infinite systems. They can, however, become stable for larger amplitudes.Comment: to appear in Physica D 28 pages (LaTeX), 11 figures (2MB postscript file

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700