6,300 research outputs found
Flow pattern transition accompanied with sudden growth of flow resistance in two-dimensional curvilinear viscoelastic flows
We find three types of steady solutions and remarkable flow pattern
transitions between them in a two-dimensional wavy-walled channel for low to
moderate Reynolds (Re) and Weissenberg (Wi) numbers using direct numerical
simulations with spectral element method. The solutions are called
"convective", "transition", and "elastic" in ascending order of Wi. In the
convective region in the Re-Wi parameter space, the convective effect and the
pressure gradient balance on average. As Wi increases, the elastic effect
becomes suddenly comparable and the first transition sets in. Through the
transition, a separation vortex disappears and a jet flow induced close to the
wall by the viscoelasticity moves into the bulk; The viscous drag significantly
drops and the elastic wall friction rises sharply. This transition is caused by
an elastic force in the streamwise direction due to the competition of the
convective and elastic effects. In the transition region, the convective and
elastic effects balance. When the elastic effect dominates the convective
effect, the second transition occurs but it is relatively moderate. The second
one seems to be governed by so-called Weissenberg effect. These transitions are
not sensitive to driving forces. By the scaling analysis, it is shown that the
stress component is proportional to the Reynolds number on the boundary of the
first transition in the Re-Wi space. This scaling coincides well with the
numerical result.Comment: 33pages, 23figures, submitted to Physical Review
Structural control of nonlinear optical absorption and refraction in dense metal nanoparticle arrays
The linear and nonlinear optical properties of a composite containing interacting spherical silver nanoparticles embedded in a dielectric host are studied as a function of interparticle separation using three dimensional frequency domain simulations. It is shown that for a fixed amount of metal, the effective third-order nonlinear susceptibility of the composite chi((3))(omega) can be significantly enhanced with respect to the linear optical properties, due to a combination of resonant surface plasmon excitation and local field redistribution. It is shown that this geometry-dependent susceptibility enhancement can lead to an improved figure of merit for nonlinear absorption. Enhancement factors for the nonlinear susceptibility of the composite are calculated, and the complex nature of the enhancement factors is discussed
Norm Optimal Iterative Learning Control with Application to Problems in Accelerator based Free Electron Lasers and Rehabilitation Robotics
This paper gives an overview of the theoretical basis of the norm optimal approach to iterative learning control followed by results that describe more recent work which has experimentally benchmarking the performance that can be achieved. The remainder of then paper then describes its actual application to a physical process and a very novel application in stroke rehabilitation
A Theory of Mind investigation into the appreciation of visual jokes in schizophrenia
BACKGROUND: There is evidence that groups of people with schizophrenia have deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM) capabilities. Previous studies have found these to be linked to psychotic symptoms (or psychotic symptom severity) particularly the presence of delusions and hallucinations. METHODS: A visual joke ToM paradigm was employed where subjects were asked to describe two types of cartoon images, those of a purely Physical nature and those requiring inferences of mental states for interpretation, and to grade them for humour and difficulty. Twenty individuals with a DSM-lV diagnosis of schizophrenia and 20 healthy matched controls were studied. Severity of current psychopathology was measured using the Krawiecka standardized scale of psychotic symptoms. IQ was estimated using the Ammons and Ammons quick test. RESULTS: Individuals with schizophrenia performed significantly worse than controls in both conditions, this difference being most marked in the ToM condition. No relationship was found for poor ToM performance and psychotic positive symptomatology, specifically delusions and hallucinations. CONCLUSION: There was evidence for a compromised ToM capability in the schizophrenia group on this visual joke task. In this instance this could not be linked to particular symptomatology
Early X-ray/UV Line Signatures of GRB Progenitors and Hypernovae
We calculate the X-ray/UV spectral line signatures expected from the
interaction of a gamma-ray burst afterglow and a dense pre-burst environment
produced by the progenitor. We explore the conditions under which Fe line and
edge equivalent widths of 1 keV can arise, and discuss the possibility
of gaining information about possible progenitor scenarios using X-ray metal
line spectra in the first few days of a burst. A wind or supernova shell around
the burst produces an X-ray absorption line spectrum and later emission lines,
while a hypernova funnel model produces mainly emission lines. The Fe \ked can
in some cases be more prominent than the Fe \kal line. Under simple assumptions
for the input continuum luminosity, current reports of observed Fe line
luminosities are compatible with an Fe-enriched funnel model, while lower
values are expected in shell models.Comment: revisions to ApJ ms first submitted 8/21/99; uses a higher and
flatter input spectrum, with modified implications suggesting preference for
funnel model
The Assessment of Commercial Fishing Effort in Virginia Annual Report 1989
This report summarizes an assessment of commercial fishing effort in the Chesapeake Bay and its Virginia tributaries during the period 1 October 1988 through 30 June 1989. Objectives of the study were: 1) to assess pound net fishing effort in Chesapeake Bay, in the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers, and the Virginia tributaries to the Potomac River; and 2) to assess stake, anchor and drift gill net fishing effort in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers.
The study period began on 1 October 1988 and ended on 30 June 1989. Data for fyke net, haul seine and mullet net fisheries, when available, have also been included
The Assessment of Commercial Fishing Effort in Virginia Annual Report 1990
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), through funding by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), has conducted an assessment of commercial fishing effort in Virginia\u27s major rivers and Chesapeake Bay beginning in late 1985 to the present, except for brief intervals when funding was unavailable.
This report primarily summarizes the final year of assessment, from 1 October 1989 through 30 September 1990. Objectives of the study were: -1) to assess pound net fishing effort in Chesapeake Bay, in the James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac rivers, and the Virginia tributaries to the Potomac River; and, 2) to assess stake, anchor and drift gill net fishing effort in the three major Virginia river systems. In the course of our data collection for the James, York and Rappahannock rivers, we have also obtained incidental effort data for these rivers and other areas in the Bay. Fyke net, haul seine and gill net fisheries data are included in this report
Secondary gamma-ray production in a coded aperture mask
The application of the coded aperture mask to high energy gamma-ray astronomy will provide the capability of locating a cosmic gamma-ray point source with a precision of a few arc-minutes above 20 MeV. Recent tests using a mask in conjunction with drift chamber detectors have shown that the expected point spread function is achieved over an acceptance cone of 25 deg. A telescope employing this technique differs from a conventional telescope only in that the presence of the mask modifies the radiation field in the vicinity of the detection plane. In addition to reducing the primary photon flux incident on the detector by absorption in the mask elements, the mask will also be a secondary radiator of gamma-rays. The various background components in a CAMTRAC (Coded Aperture Mask Track Chamber) telescope are considered. Monte-Carlo calculations are compared with recent measurements obtained using a prototype instrument in a tagged photon beam line
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