Interaction Between a Vortex and a Turbulent Boundary Layer. Part 1: Mean Flow Evolution and Turbulence Properties

An experimental study was conducted to examine the interaction between a single weak streamwise vortex and a two-dimensional turbulent boundary layer. Attention was focused on characterizing the effect of the boundary layer on the vortex, including the effects of a moderate adverse pressure gradient. Rapid growth of the vortex core was observed, and a flattening of the core shape occurred when the dimension of the core radius became comparable to the distance of the vortex center from the surface. Adverse pressure gradients caused an increase in the rate of core growth, and therefore, a stronger distortion of the core shape. Measurements of surface skin friction beneath the vortex and some of the Reynolds stresses are presented

SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF CAPTURE AND REPRODUCTION OF FIVE FOSSORIAL SNAKE SPECIES IN WEST VIRGINIA

Museum specimens of five species of fossorial snakes collected in West Virginia during 1930–2000 were examined to determine monthly incidence of capture, adult body sizes, reproductive cycle, and clutch characteristics. Captures occurred over the shortest time in the year in the Eastern Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae valeriae) and Northern Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata) and were longest in the Northern Brownsnake (S. dekayi dekayi). Male gonadal cycle conformed to the temperate pattern, whereas that of females tended towards a tropical pattern. Incidence of females nearing oviposition or parturition was highest during June–July for all species, and length of their reproductive seasons were generally in keeping with those of northerly populations of the respective species. Mean clutch sizes were largest in the Northern Brownsnake (mean = 20.5) and smallest in the single oviparous snake, the Eastern Wormsnake (mean = 2.8). Adult body sizes were similar to respective populations elsewhere within their ranges. The Mountain Earth Snake (V. pulchra) was the least represented species in this study. A meaningful degree of predictability existed in the life history traits examined in our study as they related to geographic trends of this Allegheny snake assemblage

Heat transfer with very high free-stream turbulence and streamwise vortices

Results are presented for two experimental programs related to augmentation of heat transfer by complex flow characteristics. In one program, high free stream turbulence (up to 63 percent) was shown to increase the Stanton number by more than a factor of 5, compared with the normally expected value based on x-Reynolds number. These experiments are being conducted in a free-jet facility, near the margins of the jet. To a limited extent, the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and integral length scale can be separately varied. The results show that scale is a very important factor in determining the augmentation. Detailed studies of the turbulence structure are being carried out using an orthogonal triple hot-wire anemometer equipped with a fourth wire for measuring temperature. The v' component of turbulence appears to be distributed differently from u' or w'. In the second program, the velocity distributions and boundary layer thicknesses associated with a pair of counter-rotating, streamwise vortices were measured. There is a region of considerably thinned boundary layer between the two vortices when they are of approximately the same strength. If one vortex is much stronger than the other, the weaker vortex may be lifted off the surface and absorbed into the stronger

Dietary Comparison of Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined Salamander) Larvae from Pond and Stream Habitats in Southern West Virginia

We give the first dietary report for a lentic population of two-lined salamander larvae (Eurycea bislineata complex) and the first dietary comparison of lentic and lotic populations simultaneously. Diets of Eurycea cirrigera (Southern Two-lined salamander) larvae were investigated from pond and stream habitats in southern West Virginia during 1994 and 1995. Pond larvae consumed nine prey taxa dominated by chironomid larvae and ostracods, with copepods contributing significantly on most sampling dates. Stream larvae consumed 15 prey taxa dominated by copepods, isopods, and chironomid larvae. Seasonal shifts in diet were apparent at both sites. Comparisons between sites (D = % dietary overlap and rs = Spearman rank correlation coefficient) indicate that larval diets are different at each site (D = 8.1-41.8; rs =-0.4091 to 0.5606, p = 0.l0-0.96). This is most likely due to differences in prey availability at each site. These results emphasize the generalist nature of Two-lined salamander larvae

Reproduction in West Virginia Populations of the Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera)

We describe reproduction in West Virginia populations of the southern two-lined salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) and provide insights into the behavioral ecology of this wide-ranging urodele. The first signs of reproduction are evident well before the arrival of Spring. Sexually mature adults inhabit the cold, rocky streams of southwestern West Virginia in early February. Females arc known by the presence of large oocytes visible through the body wall and males by their extremely swollen heads. Breeding occurs in the stream during late March and is marked by the presence of gravid females with sperm caps in their posterior cloacae. Eggs are deposited from mid-March through early April on the underside of flat rocks in cool, shallow, and swiftly flowing streams. Females guard their nests against potential predators, including other two-lined salamanders. Hatchlings emerge as miniature adults with gills after several months of development

Study of Apollo water impact. Volume 8 - Unsymmetric shells of revolution analysis Final report

Numerical analysis of static, and dynamic shell response to water impact load

Notes on the Distribution and Natural History of the Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus) in West Virginia

Small fossorial snakes, such as the Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis amoenus amoenus), are often neglected in studies since they lead a fossorial life and are frequently hard to find. Since it was last studied nearly 40 years ago, we present an update on distribution, habitat preferences, and diet of the Eastern Wormsnake in West Virginia. We found that this species resides in only a fraction of its original range due to habitat destruction by industrial, residential, and commercial developments. Habitat data suggests this species can tolerate a range of soil temperatures (15–24 °C), air temperatures (23.1 degrees Celsius), and relative humidity (24.5-80%), and can be found on nearly all slope directions. Dietary analysis showed annelids make up the majority of their diet but other invertebrate prey are also taken

Notes on the life history of the southern two-lined salamander, Eurycea cirrigera, in West Virginia

Abstract published in the proceedings of the 1997 Annual Meeting of the West Virginia Academy of Science

MicroRNA in autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small conserved non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for degradation or translational repression. miRNA-mediated gene regulation is critical for normal cellular functions such as the cell cycle, differentiation, and apoptosis, and as much as one-third of human mRNAs may be miRNA targets. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that miRNAs play a vital role in the regulation of immunological functions and the prevention of autoimmunity. Here we review the many newly discovered roles of miRNA regulation in immune functions and in the development of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. Specifically, we discuss the involvement of miRNA regulation in innate and adaptive immune responses, immune cell development, T regulatory cell stability and function, and differential miRNA expression in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus