136 research outputs found
Zonal flow scaling in rapidly-rotating compressible convection
The surface winds of Jupiter and Saturn are primarily zonal. Each planet
exhibits strong prograde equatorial flow flanked by multiple alternating zonal
winds at higher latitudes. The depth to which these flows penetrate has long
been debated and is still an unsolved problem. Previous rotating convection
models that obtained multiple high latitude zonal jets comparable to those on
the giant planets assumed an incompressible (Boussinesq) fluid, which is
unrealistic for gas giant planets. Later models of compressible rotating
convection obtained only few high latitude jets which were not amenable to
scaling analysis.
Here we present 3-D numerical simulations of compressible convection in
rapidly-rotating spherical shells. To explore the formation and scaling of
high-latitude zonal jets, we consider models with a strong radial density
variation and a range of Ekman numbers, while maintaining a zonal flow Rossby
number characteristic of Saturn.
All of our simulations show a strong prograde equatorial jet outside the
tangent cylinder. At low Ekman numbers several alternating jets form in each
hemisphere inside the tangent cylinder. To analyse jet scaling of our numerical
models and of Jupiter and Saturn, we extend Rhines scaling based on a
topographic -parameter, which was previously applied to an
incompressible fluid in a spherical shell, to compressible fluids. The
jet-widths predicted by this modified Rhines length are found to be in
relatively good agreement with our numerical model results and with cloud
tracking observations of Jupiter and Saturn.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in PEP
Zonal flow regimes in rotating anelastic spherical shells: an application to giant planets
The surface zonal winds observed in the giant planets form a complex jet
pattern with alternating prograde and retrograde direction. While the main
equatorial band is prograde on the gas giants, both ice giants have a
pronounced retrograde equatorial jet.
We use three-dimensional numerical models of compressible convection in
rotating spherical shells to explore the properties of zonal flows in different
regimes where either rotation or buoyancy dominates the force balance. We
conduct a systematic parameter study to quantify the dependence of zonal flows
on the background density stratification and the driving of convection.
We find that the direction of the equatorial zonal wind is controlled by the
ratio of buoyancy and Coriolis force. The prograde equatorial band maintained
by Reynolds stresses is found in the rotation-dominated regime. In cases where
buoyancy dominates Coriolis force, the angular momentum per unit mass is
homogenised and the equatorial band is retrograde, reminiscent to those
observed in the ice giants. In this regime, the amplitude of the zonal jets
depends on the background density contrast with strongly stratified models
producing stronger jets than comparable weakly stratified cases. Furthermore,
our results can help to explain the transition between solar-like and
"anti-solar" differential rotations found in anelastic models of stellar
convection zones.
In the strongly stratified cases, we find that the leading order force
balance can significantly vary with depth (rotation-dominated inside and
buoyancy-dominated in a thin surface layer). This so-called "transitional
regime" has a visible signature in the main equatorial jet which shows a
pronounced dimple where flow amplitudes notably decay towards the equator. A
similar dimple is observed on Jupiter, which suggests that convection in the
planet interior could possibly operate in this regime.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Icaru
Turbulent Rayleigh-B\'enard convection in spherical shells
We simulate numerically Boussinesq convection in non-rotating spherical
shells for a fluid with a unity Prandtl number and Rayleigh numbers up to
. In this geometry, curvature and radial variations of the gravitationnal
acceleration yield asymmetric boundary layers. A systematic parameter study for
various radius ratios (from to ) and gravity
profiles allows us to explore the dependence of the asymmetry on these
parameters. We find that the average plume spacing is comparable between the
spherical inner and outer bounding surfaces. An estimate of the average plume
separation allows us to accurately predict the boundary layer asymmetry for the
various spherical shell configurations explored here. The mean temperature and
horizontal velocity profiles are in good agreement with classical
Prandtl-Blasius laminar boundary layer profiles, provided the boundary layers
are analysed in a dynamical frame, that fluctuates with the local and
instantaneous boundary layer thicknesses. The scaling properties of the Nusselt
and Reynolds numbers are investigated by separating the bulk and boundary layer
contributions to the thermal and viscous dissipation rates using numerical
models with and a gravity proportional to . We show that our
spherical models are consistent with the predictions of Grossmann \& Lohse's
(2000) theory and that and scalings are in good agreement
with plane layer results.Comment: 43 pages, 25 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in JF
Explaining Jupiter's magnetic field and equatorial jet dynamics
Spacecraft data reveal a very Earth-like Jovian magnetic field. This is
surprising since numerical simulations have shown that the vastly different
interiors of terrestrial and gas planets can strongly affect the internal
dynamo process. Here we present the first numerical dynamo that manages to
match the structure and strength of the observed magnetic field by embracing
the newest models for Jupiter's interior. Simulated dynamo action primarily
occurs in the deep high electrical conductivity region while zonal flows are
dynamically constrained to a strong equatorial jet in the outer envelope of low
conductivity. Our model reproduces the structure and strength of the observed
global magnetic field and predicts that secondary dynamo action associated to
the equatorial jet produces banded magnetic features likely observable by the
Juno mission. Secular variation in our model scales to about 2000 nT per year
and should also be observable during the one year nominal mission duration.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Geophysical Research
Letter
Variation in target attainment of β-lactam antibiotic dosing between international pediatric formularies
As antimicrobial susceptibility of common bacterial pathogens decreases, ensuring optimal dosing may preserve the use of older antibiotics in order to limit the spread of resistance to newer agents. β-lactams represent the most widely prescribed antibiotic class, yet most were licensed prior to legislation changes mandating their study in children. As a result, significant heterogeneity persists in the pediatric doses used globally, along with quality of evidence used to inform dosing. This review summarizes dose recommendations from the major paediatric reference sources and tries to answer the question: does β-lactam dose heterogeneity matter? Does it impact on pharmacodynamic (PD) target attainment? For three important severe clinical infections - pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis - pharmacokinetic (PK) models were identified for common β-lactam antibiotics. Real-world demographics were derived from three multi-center point prevalence surveys. Simulation results were compared with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions, to inform appropriateness of recommended doses in targeted and empiric treatment. Whilst cephalosporin dose regimens are largely adequate for target attainment, they also pose most risk of neurotoxicity. Our review highlights aminopenicillin, piperacillin and meropenem doses as potentially requiring review/optimisation in order to preserve the use of these agents in future
Pharmacokinetics of Micafungin in Critically Ill Patients
We investigated covariates of pharmacokinetics of micafungin in critically ill patients. After application of micafungin, plasma samples were collected. Non-linear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM 7.3) was used to develop the pharmacokinetic model. Using this model, the adequacy of a fixed 100 mg dosing regimen was evaluated in the study cohort. A two-compartment model with linear elimination was found to describe the obtained data. SOFA score was identified as a significant covariate on both clearance and central volume of distribution, respectively. Patients in highly critical condition, represented by a SOFA above 10 showed a 30.8% lower central volume of distribution than the less critically ill patients. For patients with bilirubin levels above 4 mg/dl, clearance was decreased by 21.1%. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) did not influence micafungin clearance or the volumes of distribution. In a posthoc evaluation of the modeled population, 100 mg micafungin was suitable when assessing the PKPD targets (AUC/MIC) for C. albicans and C. glabrata, with insufficient target attainment for C. parapsilosis. Micafungin pharmacokinetics appear not to be influenced by the status of RRT. A dose of 100 mg micafungin is suitable for infections with C. albicans and C. glabrata in critically ill patients
GAPPS (Grading and Assessment of Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Studies) a critical appraisal system for antimicrobial PKPD studies - development and application in pediatric antibiotic studies
Introduction: There are limited data on optimal dosing of antibiotics in different age groups for neonates and children. Clinicians usually consult pediatric formularies or online databases for dose selection, but these have variable recommendations, are usually based on expert opinion and are not graded based on the existing pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) studies. We describe here a potential new tool that could be used to grade the strength of evidence emanating from PKPD studies.
Areas covered: A scoring system was developed (GAPPS tool) to quantify the strength of each PK assessment and rate the studies quality in already published articles. GAPPS was evaluated by applying it to pediatric PKPD studies of antibiotics from the 2019 Essential Medicines List for children (EMLC), identified through a search of PubMed.
Expert opinion: Evidence for most antibiotic dose selection decisions was generally weak, coming from individual PK studies and lacked PKPD modeling and simulations. However, the quality of evidence appears to have improved over the last two decades.
Incorporating a formal grading system, such as GAPPS, into formulary development will provide a transparent tool to support decision-making in clinical practice and guideline development, and guide PKPD authors on study designs most likely to influence guidelines
Consensus for methods and outcomes in trials of oral morphine versus transmucosal diamorphine for breakthrough pain in children in the UK: the DIPPER study
Objectives: No randomised controlled trials have been conducted for breakthrough pain in paediatric palliative care and there are currently no standardised outcome measures. The DIPPER study aims to establish the feasibility of conducting a prospective randomised controlled trial comparing oral and transmucosal administration of opioids for breakthrough pain. The aim of the current study was to achieve consensus on design aspects for a small-scale prospective study to inform a future randomised controlled trial of oral morphine, the current first-line treatment, versus transmucosal diamorphine. /
Methods: The nominal group technique was used to achieve consensus on best practice for mode of administration, dose regimen and a range of suitable pain intensity outcome measures for transmucosal diamorphine in children and young people with breakthrough pain. An expert panel of ten clinicians in paediatric palliative care and three parent representatives participated. Consensus was achieved when agreement was reached and no further comments from participants were forthcoming. /
Results: The panel favoured the buccal route of administration, with dosing according to the recommendations in the Association for Paediatric Palliative Medicine formulary (fifth Edition, 2020). The verbal Numerical Rating Scale was selected to measure pain in children 8 years old and older, the Faces Pain Scale-Revised for children between 4 and 8 years old, and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC)/FLACC-Revised as the observational tools. /
Conclusions: The nominal group technique allowed consensus to be reached for a small-scale, prospective, cohort study and provided information to inform the design of a randomised controlled trial
Meridional circulation dynamics in a cyclic convective dynamo
Surface observations indicate that the speed of the solar meridional circulation in the photosphere varies in anti-phase with the solar cycle. The current explanation for the source of this variation is that inflows into active regions alter the global surface pattern of the meridional circulation. When these localized inflows are integrated over a full hemisphere, they contribute to slowing down the axisymmetric poleward horizontal component. The behavior of this large-scale flow deep inside the convection zone remains largely unknown. Present helioseismic techniques are not sensitive enough to capture the dynamics of this weak large-scale flow. Moreover, the large time of integration needed to map the meridional circulation inside the convection zone, also masks some of the possible dynamics on shorter timescales. In this work we examine the dynamics of the meridional circulation that emerges from a 3D MHD global simulation of the solar convection zone. Our aim is to assess and quantify the behavior of meridional circulation deep inside the convection zone where the cyclic large-scale magnetic field can reach considerable strength. Our analyses indicate that the meridional circulation morphology and amplitude are both highly influenced by the magnetic field via the impact of magnetic torques on the global angular momentum distribution. A dynamic feature induced by these magnetic torques is the development of a prominent upward flow at mid-latitudes in the lower convection zone that occurs near the equatorward edge of the toroidal bands and that peaks during cycle maximum. Globally, the dynamo-generated large-scale magnetic field drives variations in the meridional flow, in stark contrast to the conventional kinematic flux transport view of the magnetic field being advected passively by the flow.Centra-ISTGRPS-UdeMNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of CanadaNational Science FoundationUniversity of the Algarveinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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