Local law-of-the-wall in complex topography: a confirmation from wind tunnel experiments

It is well known that in a neutrally-stratified turbulent flow in a deep constant-stress layer above a flat surface, the variation of the mean velocity with respect to the distance from the surface obeys the logarithmic law (the so-called ``law-of-the-wall''). More recently, the same logarithmic law has been found also in the presence of non flat surfaces. It governs the dynamics of the mean velocity (i.e. all the smaller scales are averaged out) and involves renormalized effective parameters. Recent numerical simulations analyzed by the authors of the present Letter show that a more intrinsic logarithmic shape actually takes place also at smaller scales. Such a generalized law-of-the-wall involves effective parameters smoothly depending on the position along the underlying topography. Here, we present wind tunnel experimental evidence confirming and corroborating this new-found property. New results and their physical interpretation are also presented and discussed.Comment: 9 pages, (Latex), 4 figure

Local log-law of the wall: numerical evidences and reasons

Numerical studies performed with a primitive equation model on two-dimensional sinusoidal hills show that the local velocity profiles behave logarithmically to a very good approximation, from a distance from the surface of the order of the maximum hill height almost up to the top of the boundary layer. This behavior is well known for flows above homogeneous and flat topographies (``law-of-the-wall'') and, more recently, investigated with respect to the large-scale (``asymptotic'') averaged flows above complex topography. Furthermore, this new-found local generalized law-of-the-wall involves effective parameters showing a smooth dependence on the position along the underlying topography. This dependence is similar to the topography itself, while this property does not absolutely hold for the underlying flow, nearest to the hill surface.Comment: 9 pages, Latex, 2 figure

Evaluation of HF-radar wave measures in the Gulf of Naples

HF-radar systems are commonly employed for detecting the upper sea currents. Nevertheless, the signal of such systems can be further post-processed for characterizing as well the wave characteristics, though this is a recent application whose reliability has not been yet exhaustively investigated. In this work, we evaluate HF-radar measures of significant wave height, wave mean period and incident direction against the outcomes of two numerical models previously validated. The comparison is developed in the Gulf of Naples (hereinafter GoN), taking advantage of three antennas placed in the locations of Castellamare di Stabia, Portici and Sorrento. First, a wave hindcast defined on a regional scale is employed; then, wave data are down-scaled through a local model defined over a finer resolution (local scale). The agreement between the systems is evaluated through statistical error indexes. Results show good consistency, leaving room for deepening the use of radars for wave data collection

HF Radar Measurements of Surface Waves in the Gulf of Naples (Southeastern Tyrrhenian Sea): Comparison With Hindcast Results at Different Scales

HF radar systems wave measurements are evaluated against numerical simulations in the Gulf of Naples (Southeastern Tyrrhenian Sea). Wave measurements are obtained from three CODAR SeaSonde HF radars installed along the coast of the Gulf of Naples. The numerical models employed are WavewatchIII, implemented on a regional scale with a resolution of about 10 km in longitude and latitude in the whole Mediterranean Sea, and SWAN, implemented with a 200 m resolution in the area of interest. Numerical simulations are also validated against experimental data acquired by a buoy installed offshore the Gulf of Naples. The agreement between HF radar measurements and model hindcasts is evaluated through the estimate of statistical error indices for the main wave characteristics (significant wave height, mean period, and mean direction). The consistency between wave parameters retrieved by HF radars and hindcasted by the models opens the way to future integration of the two systems as well as to the utilization of HF radar wave parameters that could be envisaged for data assimilation in wave models

High-Frequency Oscillations Recorded on the Scalp of Patients With Epilepsy Using Tripolar Concentric Ring Electrodes

Epilepsy is the second most prevalent neurological disorder (~1% prevalence) affecting ~67 million people worldwide with up to 75% from developing countries. The conventional electroencephalogram is plagued with artifacts from movements, muscles, and other sources. Tripolar concentric ring electrodes automatically attenuate muscle artifacts and provide improved signal quality. We performed basic experiments in healthy humans to show that tripolar concentric ring electrodes can indeed record the physiological alpha waves while eyes are closed. We then conducted concurrent recordings with conventional disc electrodes and tripolar concentric ring electrodes from patients with epilepsy. We found that we could detect high frequency oscillations, a marker for early seizure development and epileptogenic zone, on the scalp surface that appeared to become more narrow-band just prior to seizures. High frequency oscillations preceding seizures were present in an average of 35.5% of tripolar concentric ring electrode data channels for all the patients with epilepsy whose seizures were recorded and absent in the corresponding conventional disc electrode data. An average of 78.2% of channels that contained high frequency oscillations were within the seizure onset or irritative zones determined independently by three epileptologists based on conventional disc electrode data and videos

Amplified Sediment waves in the Irish Sea (AmSedIS)

Exceptionally high, straight-crested and trochoidal sediment waves have recently been observed on shelf seas world-wide, and reach heights of up to 36 m in the Irish Sea. It is uncertain how the interplay between geological, biogeochemical and hydrodynamic processes influences the migration and extreme growth of these sediment waves. The AmSedIS project thus sets out to (1) investigate the role of sediment granulometry and sedimentavailability on both “extreme” and “normal” sediment wave development and (2) investigate the potential association of methane derived carbonate formation with extreme sediment wave growth. The preliminary findings are: (1) The crests of unusually high and trochoidal sediment waves still migrate over several meters per year and they consist of coarser, more poorly sorted sediments in comparison to the "normal" sediments waves; (2) Methane seepage is not considered a factor in extreme sediment wave development; (3) The excess of mobile sediment supply seems to allow for "extreme" sediment wave growth, and is linked to palaeo-tunnel valleys and the finer sediments that fill them or with converging sediment transport pathways; (4) The variation in sediment from sediment wave trough to crest to trough will form the basis for more advanced numerical modelling

Ischemia–reperfusion impairs blood–brain barrier function and alters tight junction protein expression in the ovine fetus

The blood–brain barrier is a restrictive interface between the brain parenchyma and the intravascular compartment. Tight junctions contribute to the integrity of the blood–brain barrier. Hypoxic–ischemic damage to the blood–brain barrier could be an important component of fetal brain injury. We hypothesized that increases in blood–brain barrier permeability after ischemia depend upon the duration of reperfusion and that decreases in tight junction proteins are associated with the ischemia-related impairment in blood–brain barrier function in the fetus. Blood–brain barrier function was quantified with the blood-to-brain transfer constant (Ki) and tight junction proteins by Western immunoblot in fetal sheep at 127 days of gestation without ischemia, and 4, 24, or 48 h after ischemia. The largest increase in Ki (P \u3c 0.05) was 4 h after ischemia. Occludin and claudin-5 expressions decreased at 4 h, but returned toward control levels 24 and 48 h after ischemia. Zonula occludens-1 and -2 decreased after ischemia. Inverse correlations between Ki and tight junction proteins suggest that the decreases in tight junction proteins contribute to impaired blood–brain barrier function after ischemia. We conclude that impaired blood–brain barrier function is an important component of hypoxic–ischemic brain injury in the fetus, and that increases in quantitatively measured barrier permeability (Ki) change as a function of the duration of reperfusion after ischemia. The largest increase in permeability occurs 4 h after ischemia and blood–brain barrier function improves early after injury because the blood–brain barrier is less permeable 24 and 48 than 4 h after ischemia. Changes in the tight junction molecular composition are associated with increases in blood–brain barrier permeability after ischemia

Wave overtopping at near-vertical seawalls: Influence of foreshore evolution during storms

This work presents the results of an investigation on how wave overtopping at a near-vertical seawall at the back of a sandy foreshore is influenced by sequences of erosive storms. The experiments were carried out in the Large Wave Flume (GWK) at Leibniz University, Hannover (Germany). The tested layout consisted of a near-vertical 10/1 seawall and a sandy foreshore with an initial 1/15 slope. Three sequences of idealised erosive storms were simulated. Within each storm both the incident wave conditions and still water level were varied in time to represent high and low tide conditions. Each sequence started from a 1/15 configuration and the beach was not restored in between storms. The measurements included waves, beach profile, wave overtopping volumes. The profile of the beach was measured after each sea state tested. Wave overtopping at each stage of the tested storms was significantly influenced by bed changes. This was linked to the measured evolution of the beach. Measurements showed that a barred profile developed quickly at the start of each sequence, and scour developed at the toe of the structure during high water level conditions, while accretion or partial backfilling developed during low water level conditions. Due to these processes, the position of a sea state in the tested sequence is shown to be an important factor in determining the wave overtopping volume. Remarkably, when a weaker idealised storm followed a more energetic one, nearly the same level of overtopping was recorded. This is explained by the foreshore erosion, leading to increased water depths and wave heights at the toe of the structure. This finding allows to quantify and to explain the variability of wave overtopping in storms following one another at intervals shorter than the recovery time of the foreshore

Use of expert elicitation to assign weights to climate and hydrological models in climate impact studies

Various methods are available for assessing uncertainties in climate impact studies. Among such methods, model weighting by expert elicitation is a practical way to provide a weighted ensemble of models for specific real-world impacts. The aim is to decrease the influence of improbable models in the results and easing the decision-making process. In this study both climate and hydrological models are analysed, and the result of a research experiment is presented using model weighting with the participation of six climate model experts and six hydrological model experts. For the experiment, seven climate models are a priori selected from a larger EURO-CORDEX (Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment - European Domain) ensemble of climate models, and three different hydrological models are chosen for each of the three European river basins. The model weighting is based on qualitative evaluation by the experts for each of the selected models based on a training material that describes the overall model structure and literature about climate models and the performance of hydrological models for the present period. The expert elicitation process follows a three-stage approach, with two individual rounds of elicitation of probabilities and a final group consensus, where the experts are separated into two different community groups: a climate and a hydrological modeller group. The dialogue reveals that under the conditions of the study, most climate modellers prefer the equal weighting of ensemble members, whereas hydrological-impact modellers in general are more open for assigning weights to different models in a multi-model ensemble, based on model performance and model structure. Climate experts are more open to exclude models, if obviously flawed, than to put weights on selected models in a relatively small ensemble. The study shows that expert elicitation can be an efficient way to assign weights to different hydrological models and thereby reduce the uncertainty in climate impact. However, for the climate model ensemble, comprising seven models, the elicitation in the format of this study could only re-establish a uniform weight between climate models